GENERAL INFORMATION FOR NTSB REPORT: ANC00LA002
Data Source NTSB AVIATION ACCIDENT/INCIDENT DATABASE
NTSB Report Nbr ANC00LA002
Event Id 20001212X19895
Local Date 10/07/1999
Local Time 1310
State AK
Event Type ACCIDENT
Injury Severity NONE
Record Status FINAL
Mid Air Collision NO
Event Location OFF AIRPORT/AIRSTRIP

WEATHER INFORMATION
Weather Briefing Complete FULL
Basic Weather Conditions VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL COND
Light Condition DAY
Cloud Condition UNKNOWN
Cloud Height above Ground Level (ft) 0
Ceiling Height above Ground Level (ft) 3000
Cloud Type OVERCAST
Visibility RVR (ft) 0
Visibility RVV (sm) 0
Visibility (sm) 11
Wind Direction (deg) 0
Wind Condition Flag U
Wind Speed (knots) 0
Wind Condition Indicated Calm

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
Aircraft 1
Type of Operation PART 135: AIR TAXI & COMMUTER
Registration Number N85CG
Aircraft Make CESSNA
Aircraft Model A185
Aircraft Series E
Aircraft Damage SUBSTANTIAL
Aircraft Fire NONE
Aircraft Explosion NONE
Aircraft Type AIRPLANE
Aircraft Homebuilt UNKNOWN
Phase of Flight LANDING
Aircraft Use UNKNOWN
Category of Operation NON-SCHEDULED
Flight Plan Filed COMPANY VFR
Domestic/International DOMESTIC
Passenger/Cargo PASSENGER ONLY
Operator Name GULF AIR TAXI INC
Operator Doing Business As
Owner Name GULF AIR TAXI, INC.
Number of Seats 4
Number of Engines 1
ELT Installed YES
ELT Operated NO
Departure Airport Id YAK
Departure City
Departure State ALASKA
Last Departure Point YES
Destination Local DEST & DEPARTURE SAME, ACCIDENT CAN OCCUR ANYWHERE
Destination Airport Id
Destination City
Runway Id 0
Air Carrier Operating Certificates NO
Air Carrier Other Operating Certificates UNKNOWN
Rotocraft/Agriculture Operating Certificate UNKNOWN
Cert Max Gross Wgt 3300

ENGINE INFORMATION

Aircraft 1 - Engine : #1
Engine Manufactuer Continental
Engine Model IO-520
Engine Horsepower 300
Engine Thrust HP
Carb/Injection FUEL INJECTED

INJURY INFORMATION
Injury Summary for Aircraft 1
Fatal Serious Minor None
Crew 0 0 0 0
Pass 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 4
Sequence of Events for Aircraft 1
Occurrence #1
GEAR COLLAPSED
Phase of Operation: LANDING - ROLL

Events Sequence for Occurrence #1 of Aircraft 1
Event Seq # Event Group Code Subject Modifier Personnel Cause/Factor
1 1 TERRAIN CONDITION SOFT FACTOR
2 2 UNSUITABLE TERRAIN OR TAKEOFF/LANDING/TAXI AREA SELECTED PILOT IN COMMAND CAUSE




AIRCRAFT 1 PRELIMINARY REPORT


On October 7, 1999, about 1310 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna A185E airplane, N85CG, sustained substantial damage during landing at an off airport site located about 20 miles east of Yakutat, Alaska, at 59.31 north latitude, 139.05 west longitude. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Gulf Air Taxi, Inc., Yakutat, Alaska. The certificated commercial pilot, and three passengers aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Yakutat Airport, Yakutat, about 1245. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on October 7, the pilot said he was landing to the east on a soft, sand-covered river bank. He said that after touchdown and during the landing roll, the right main landing gear leg collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

AIRCRAFT 1 FINAL REPORT


The certificated commercial pilot, with three passengers aboard, was landing on a remote soft, sand-covered river bank. After touchdown and during the landing roll, the right main landing gear leg collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground.

AIRCRAFT 1 CAUSE REPORT


The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. A factor associated with the accident was soft terrain.


END REPORT