Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing the oversize tire equipped airplane on dry, newly surfaced, asphalt.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The 29-inch tundra tire equipped airplane was being landed on a dry, newly surfaced, asphalt runway. The winds were reported to be a 40 degree right crosswind at 6 knots. The pilot stated that there were no problems with the airplane, and that he allowed the airplane to veer left. The airplane departed the runway, struck a berm, and nosed over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 26, 1997, at 1549 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 185E airplane, N454CF, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing at the King Salmon Airport, King Salmon, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot and two passengers were uninjured. The flight originated from Seldovia, Alaska, at 1415, and operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was landing on runway 29. At the time of the accident, 8,500 feet by 75 feet (one-half width) of runway 29 was open due to resurfacing. The runway surface was dry, newly coated, asphalt. The airplane was configured with Schneider SWS 29 x 11 x 10 inch tires. Winds were from 310 degrees at 6 knots. The pilot stated to the NTSB investigator that during landing he allowed the airplane to swerve left and depart the runway edge. The right tire struck a dirt berm, and the airplane nosed over. He said there were no mechanical discrepancies with the airplane. -