No fatalities

5 Jan 2013: CESSNA A185E — William A Barnes — Skwentna, AK

Skwentna, AK, United States
SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During taxi on a frozen lake, a ski-equipped airplane's right wheel struck snow-covered ice overflow, breaking axle bolts and causing the wing to strike the ice, resulting in substantial damage.

Accident Details

The pilot of a wheel/ski-equipped airplane landed on a remote frozen snow-covered lake. While taxiing to parking, the right wheel/ski struck an area of ice overflow that was covered by snow. During the collision, the axle bolts on the right wheel/ski broke, causing the airplane to pivot to the right. The right wing then struck the snow-covered ice.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. Other than the broken axle bolts, the pilot reported no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

Pilot Report

In his written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the pilot reported that flat light conditions on the snow-covered lake contributed to his inability to see the ice overflow.

Contributing factors

Causes

Pilot

Other contributing factors

Main landing gear — FailureEffect on equipmentContributed to outcome