CESSNA A185
Fairbanks, AK — February 19, 2017
Event Information
| Date | February 19, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA17CA147 |
| Event ID | 20170222X85738 |
| Location | Fairbanks, AK |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 64.81500, -147.85638 |
| Airport | FAIRBANKS INTL |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | CESSNA |
| Model | A185 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath to the runway and to use the vertical guidance system.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that during the first landing of a currency flight, he "never realized he was low on the approach" and impacted a snow covered area short of the asphalt runway and nosed over. He added that the flight was conducted in "reduced light conditions" and he "did not recognize the conditions as being flat light."
The vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The National Weather Service recorded a sunset time about 25 minutes after the accident.
The Federal Aviation Administration Chart Supplement stated in part that the landing runway was equipped with a precision approach path indicator (PAPI).
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.