No fatalities

15 Jun 2018: CESSNA 185 — Big Lake, AK

Big Lake, AK, United States

On 15 Jun 2018, a CESSNA 185 UNDESIGNAT was involved in an aviation accident near Big Lake, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll due to a flat tire. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel-equipped airplane nosed over after the right wheel exited a gravel airstrip into soft soil. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical issues, but a flat tire was noted after the accident.

Accident Details

During the landing roll on a gravel airstrip, the pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane felt the right main wheel make contact. The airplane immediately began to veer to the right. Despite the pilot applying full left rudder input, the deviation could not be corrected. The right wheel subsequently left the runway surface and entered an area of soft, sandy soil. The airplane then nosed over, coming to rest inverted.

Damage

The accident resulted in substantial damage to the wings and empennage of the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have prevented normal operation.

Post-Accident Observations

Following the accident, it was discovered that one of the airplane's tires was flat. Additionally, a tire mark was observed on the gravel runway, extending from the touchdown point to the location where the airplane nosed over.

Contributing factors

Causes

Attain/maintain not possibleWheel/ski/float — Failure

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome