Pilot Debrief

Cessna 185 near Big Lake, AK — 2008-04-09

Final reportANC08CA049
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Date
2008-04-09
Location
Big Lake, AK, USA
Aircraft
Cessna 185
Registration
N185AR
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the wheel-ski equipped airplane related that while en route to his home airport, he encountered an area of transient snow showers along his flight path, which required him to fly further north than originally anticipated. He said that as he approached his destination airport, the engine began to lose power, and he selected a snow-covered meadow as a forced landing site. During touchdown, the wheel-skis sank in deep snow, and both main landing gear legs collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and noted that the reason for the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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