YAKUTAT, AK, USA
N4755Q
CESSNA 185
The certificated private pilot was landing toward the south on a wet, 1,600 foot long grass covered strip. About half way down the landing area, the strip had a 15 degree bend to the right. During the landing roll, the pilot attempted to turn the airplane to the right at the dogleg in the airstrip, but the airplane did not respond. The left wingtip struck several bushes, spinning the airplane sideways. The airplane received damage to both wings, tail assembly, and landing gear. The pilot indicated that the wind was from the southeast with gusts to about 15 knots. Witnesses on the ground reported that after the accident, gusty wind conditions varied from the north and east.
On October 22, 1995, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 185, N4755Q, crashed during landing at a remote grass covered landing strip near the Alsek River, about 36 miles southeast of Yakutat, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Juneau airport, Juneau, Alaska, about 1339. The pilot reported that he was transporting supplies to the accident site for a moose hunt. He landed on the 1,600 foot long strip toward the south. About half way down the landing area, the strip has a 15 degree bend to the right. During the landing roll, the left wingtip struck several bushes, spinning the airplane sideways. The airplane received damage to both wings, tail assembly, and landing gear. The pilot indicated that the wind was from the southeast with gusts to about 15 knots. Witnesses on the ground reported that after the accident, gusty wind conditions varied from the north and east. The weather conditions at the time included light rain. The airstrip is grass covered. An Alaska State Trooper, Division of Fish and Wildlife Protection, had landed at the airstrip prior to the accident. He observed the accident and interviewed the pilot. At the scene, the pilot reported that after landing, he attempted to turn the airplane to the right at the dogleg in the airstrip but the airplane did not respond.
The pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in his failure (or inability) to maintain directional control of the airplane, while attempting to negotiate a bend (dog-leg) in the runway. Factors relating to the accident were: variable/gusty wind conditions, wet (grass) runway condition, and a bend (dog-leg) in the landing area.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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