NTSB ANC23LA026 — 2023-03-06 · Homer, Alaska, United States

Current FAA registration · N9697Q

Make / Model: CESSNA A185F
Year of manufacture: 1979 · 44 years old at event
Engine: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES (285 hp)
Seats / Engines: 6 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19790313
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S AD80F1

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N9697Q Cessna A185F None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop and impact with terrain.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll on a dry, paved runway, the airplane veered to the right. The pilot was unable to correct, and the airplane ground looped, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing, left aileron and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Heading/course-Not attained/maintained
— Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2023_ANC23LA026.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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