N5246E CESSNA A185F SKYWAGON(cn18503493)
Sutton Aicraft Salvage ,Palmer..Alaska.On Wednesday 8 August 1990 at Talkeetna, AK UPON TOUCHDOWN ON A GRAVEL STRIP, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SPRING BROKE OFF AT THE WHEEL AXLE ATTACHING POINT, DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKS. THE AIRPLANE NORMALLY OPERATES WITH WHEEL-SKIIS DURING THE WINTER.
Probable Cause: FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SPRING UPON LANDING.*******On Monday 4 March 1996 at Skwentna, AK the pilot landed the ski-equipped airplane on a rough and uneven frozen lake, and the left main landing gear collapsed. Inspection showed that the gear failure was consistent with overload forces.
Probable Cause: the pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for landing. A factor associated with the accident was the rough and uneven terrain.*********On Saturday 9 August 1997 at Chickaloon, AK As the tundra tire equipped airplane slowed to 25 knots during the landing roll on a gravel strip, the left main landing gear leg separated at the wheel attachment bolt holes. The airplane ground looped, and both wingtips were damaged. Metallurgical examination revealed multiple fatigue cracks originating from the bolt holes. The airplane had been used extensively for off-airport landings, both on wheels and skis. The failed gear leg had been inspected for cracks 806 flight hours and 16 months prior to the accident.
Probable Cause: inadequate maintenance inspection and failure of the left main landing gear attachment due to fatigue. A factor was continuous use of the airplane for rough area, off-airport landings.***********On Monday 9 June 2003 at Talkeetna Airport, AK The pilot of the wheel ski-equipped airplane was attempting to takeoff down-slope from a remote mountain glacier airstrip for an air taxi sightseeing flight . The pilot reported that the snow on the runway was fresh and wet, which slowed the airplane's acceleration. He said he elected to abort the takeoff because of the airplane's slow acceleration and low airspeed. Following the aborted takeoff, he initiated a left turn to return to the top of the airstrip for another takeoff attempt. As the airplane turned, the pilot said it felt like the right main landing gear wheel ski encountered a soft spot or sink hole, and sank deeper into the snow. As soon the as the ski sank, the airplane nosed over. The airplane received structural damage to the fuselage and right wing. A national park ranger who flew to the accident scene reported that it appeared that the airplane's tailwheel-ski never touched down before the left turn was initiated. He said the proper procedure for an aborted takeoff on the glacier is to come to a complete stop going straight, deplane the passengers, make the turn up-slope, and then taxi back for takeoff.
Probable Cause: The pilot's excessive taxi speed while attempting to turn the airplane in soft snow, which resulted in a nose over. A factor in the accident was soft snow.
N5246E CESSNA A185F SKYWAGON(cn18503493)
Sutton Aicraft Salvage ,Palmer..Alaska.On Wednesday 8 August 1990 at Talkeetna, AK UPON TOUCHDOWN ON A GRAVEL STRIP, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SPRING BROKE OFF AT THE WHEEL AXLE ATTACHING POINT, DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKS. THE AIRPLANE NORMALLY OPERATES WITH WHEEL-SKIIS DURING THE WINTER.
Probable Cause: FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SPRING UPON LANDING.*******On Monday 4 March 1996 at Skwentna, AK the pilot landed the ski-equipped airplane on a rough and uneven frozen lake, and the left main landing gear collapsed. Inspection showed that the gear failure was consistent with overload forces.
Probable Cause: the pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for landing. A factor associated with the accident was the rough and uneven terrain.*********On Saturday 9 August 1997 at Chickaloon, AK As the tundra tire equipped airplane slowed to 25 knots during the landing roll on a gravel strip, the left main landing gear leg separated at the wheel attachment bolt holes. The airplane ground looped, and both wingtips were damaged. Metallurgical examination revealed multiple fatigue cracks originating from the bolt holes. The airplane had been used extensively for off-airport landings, both on wheels and skis. The failed gear leg had been inspected for cracks 806 flight hours and 16 months prior to the accident.
Probable Cause: inadequate maintenance inspection and failure of the left main landing gear attachment due to fatigue. A factor was continuous use of the airplane for rough area, off-airport landings.***********On Monday 9 June 2003 at Talkeetna Airport, AK The pilot of the wheel ski-equipped airplane was attempting to takeoff down-slope from a remote mountain glacier airstrip for an air taxi sightseeing flight . The pilot reported that the snow on the runway was fresh and wet, which slowed the airplane's acceleration. He said he elected to abort the takeoff because of the airplane's slow acceleration and low airspeed. Following the aborted takeoff, he initiated a left turn to return to the top of the airstrip for another takeoff attempt. As the airplane turned, the pilot said it felt like the right main landing gear wheel ski encountered a soft spot or sink hole, and sank deeper into the snow. As soon the as the ski sank, the airplane nosed over. The airplane received structural damage to the fuselage and right wing. A national park ranger who flew to the accident scene reported that it appeared that the airplane's tailwheel-ski never touched down before the left turn was initiated. He said the proper procedure for an aborted takeoff on the glacier is to come to a complete stop going straight, deplane the passengers, make the turn up-slope, and then taxi back for takeoff.
Probable Cause: The pilot's excessive taxi speed while attempting to turn the airplane in soft snow, which resulted in a nose over. A factor in the accident was soft snow.