1997-09-03: Cessna 185 — Alaska Island Air — Kotzebue, AK

Casualties unknown • Kotzebue, AK, US

Probable cause

The collapse/deflation of the right main tire when the tire slipped on the tire wheel rim which resulted in the collapse of the right main landing gear due to overload.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane in a remote area. The airplane was equipped with oversize tundra type tires inflated to about 12 PSI. An adhesive, applied between the main wheel rim and the tire, helps to prevent the tire from rotating independent of the wheel. The pilot indicated that during the landing roll on grassy terrain, the right tire rotated away from the wheel rim. The tire deflated and began vibrating. The right main landing gear then collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1997-09-03 Cessna 185 accident near Kotzebue, AK?

The pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane in a remote area. The airplane was equipped with oversize tundra type tires inflated to about 12 PSI. An adhesive, applied between the main wheel rim and the tire, helps to prevent the tire from rotating independent of the wheel. The pilot indicated that during…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1997-09-03 involved a Cessna 185, registration N185QB, operated by Alaska Island Air, at Kotzebue, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collapse/deflation of the right main tire when the tire slipped on the tire wheel rim which resulted in the collapse of the right main landing gear due to overload.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X08768. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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