On April 17, 1997, a Cessna 185F (registration N8310Q) operated by Robin L. Maher was involved in an aviation accident near Manley, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing run. Factors relating to the accident were: frozen terrain, adverse wind condition, and proximity of a snowbank. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A ski/wheel equipped airplane ground looped during landing on an ice-covered lake after a strong gust from the left, causing the right wing to strike a snow bank.
Accident Details
The accident involved a ski/wheel equipped airplane that was landing on a remote, ice-covered lake. The aircraft came to rest upright after the incident.
Sequence of Events
During the landing run toward the north, the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind from the left. This caused the airplane to begin a ground loop, with the tail veering to the right. The right wing then collided with a snow bank, and the airplane came to rest upright.
Weather Conditions
The pilot reported that the wind conditions at the time were 270 degrees at 10 knots, with gusts to 20 knots.