Primary finding
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to maintain proper alignment of the selected landing area. Subsequent encounter with rocks was a related factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was landing in a remote area to pick up two hunting partners in a tail-wheel equipped airplane. He reported that during the landing, the airplane drifted to the right and ground looped. Also, he noted that the right tire suddenly deflated from overload or was cut and punctured by rocks at touchdown. Subsequently, the right landing gear strut collapsed, and the right wing struck rocks along the right side of the landing area. The pilot indicated that the main landing gear tires were 8.50 X 6. No mechanical malfunction was reported.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 28, 1996, about 1330 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185, N222WH, crashed during landing about 66 miles north-northeast of Nome, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Nome airport at 1229. On October 1, 1996, at 1035, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) that he was landing in a remote area to pick up two hunting partners. The landing area next to the Boston Creek, consisting of gravel, and tundra, was oriented in an east/west direction and was about 1,200 feet long. The pilot landed toward the west. He indicated that light and variable winds were primarily from the south. During the landing touchdown, the right main tire deflated and the right landing gear strut collapsed. The pilot noted the right tire suddenly deflated from overload or was cut and punctured by rocks at touchdown. The airplane ground looped and the right wing struck numerous rocks along the right side of the landing area. The pilot indicated that the main landing gear tires are 8.50 X 6. In the pilot/operator report submitted by the pilot to the NTSB on October 17, 1996, the pilot indicated the airplane drifted to the right and ground looped. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunction or tire malfunction. -