Pilot Debrief

CESSNA A185F near Denali Park, AK — 2012-09-13

Final reportANC12LA106
Sign in to save
Date
2012-09-13
Location
Denali Park, AK, USA
Airport
AK06
Aircraft
CESSNA A185F
Registration
N4786Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an electric transmission line during the approach to land because he was distracted by the airplane’s broken and deflected landing ski. Contributing to the accident was the in-flight failure of the right ski connecting bolt and the subsequent ski deflection.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was returning from a weather observation flight when the right wheel/ski actuator connecting bolt broke and the ski deflected downward about 90 degrees. The pilot maintained control of the airplane; however, during the descent to the airport he realized that he was descending faster than he anticipated. He increased the airplane’s pitch angle in an effort to climb, but the airplane contacted a power line. The pilot continued to the destination airport and landed after two low passes. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot stated that he was aware of the power line, but was so focused on the ski deflection and maintaining control of the airplane that he did not even realize that the airplane had struck it. The failure of the wheel/ski actuator connecting bolt was likely due to the repetitive forces to the skis that typically occur in normal ski operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have maintained altitude while troubleshooting ski issue.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

Related mishaps