Pilot Debrief

CESSNA A185 near Fairbanks, AK — 2017-02-19

Final reportGAA17CA147
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Date
2017-02-19
Location
Fairbanks, AK, USA
Airport
FAI
Aircraft
CESSNA A185
Registration
N185AE
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath to the runway and to use the vertical guidance system.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the first landing of a currency flight, he "never realized he was low on the approach" and that the airplane impacted a snow-covered area short of the asphalt runway and nosed over. He added that the flight was conducted in "reduced light conditions" and that he "did not recognize the conditions as being flat light." The vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The National Weather Service reported that the sun set about 25 minutes after the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration Chart Supplement stated, in part, that the landing runway was equipped with a precision approach path indicator.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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