Cessna A185F Skywagon, N121EE: Accident occurred July 17, 2019 in Talkeetna, Alaska

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Alaska

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N121EE

Location: Talkeetna, AK
Accident Number: ANC19LA049
Date & Time: 07/17/2019, 1445 AKD
Registration: N121EE
Aircraft: Cessna A185
Injuries:5 None 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled - Sightseeing

On July 17, 2019, at about 1445 Alaska daylight time, a wheel/ski-equipped Cessna A185 airplane, N121EE, sustained substantial damage while taxiing, after landing on the Ruth Glacier, about 50 miles northwest of Talkeetna, Alaska. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Sheldon Air Service as a visual flight rules on-demand sightseeing flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. The certificated commercial pilot and four passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an FAA flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Talkeetna Airport (PATK), Talkeetna, Alaska about 1415.

According to the operator, the sightseeing flight included a landing at the Don Sheldon Mountain House, located in the Don Sheldon Amphitheater. The operator reported that, after an uneventful ski landing on the Ruth Glacier, the airplane taxied over some ruts when the pilot heard a "bang" on the right side of the airplane. After gliding to a stop, the pilot noticed the right wing was about 2 feet lower than normal. An inspection by the pilot, revealed that the right outboard landing gear bracket had fractured, which constituted substantial damage to the fuselage.

The closest weather reporting facility is Talkeetna Airport, (PATK), Talkeetna, Alaska. At 1453, a METAR from PATK was reporting in part: wind, variable at 4 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; sky condition, clear; temperature, 75° F; dew point 48° F; and an altimeter setting of 29.58 inches of mercury.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N121EE
Model/Series:A185 F 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PATK
Observation Time: 2253 UTC
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 9°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Light and Variable / , Variable
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.58 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Departure Point: Talkeetna, AK
Destination: Talkeetna, AK

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 4 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 5 None
Latitude, Longitude: 62.967222, -150.748889