No fatalities

Cessna 185 accident at Palmer, AK, 6 May 2020

Palmer, AK, United States

On May 6, 2020, a Cessna 185 was involved in an aviation accident near Palmer, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s decision to attempt to " water ski" atop a remote river in a wheel-equipped airplane, resulting in a loss of control and a nose over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to attempt to " water ski" atop a remote river in a wheel-equipped airplane, resulting in a loss of control and a nose over.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

PilotPerformance/control parameters — Not attained/maintained

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 6 May 2020 Cessna 185 accident near Palmer, AK?

The pilot’s decision to attempt to " water ski" atop a remote river in a wheel-equipped airplane, resulting in a loss of control and a nose over.

Were there any fatalities in the 6 May 2020 Cessna 185 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 6 May 2020 involved a Cessna 185, at Palmer, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s decision to attempt to " water ski" atop a remote river in a wheel-equipped airplane, resulting in a loss of control and a nose over.