Event ANC96LA040

Factual narrative

On March 31, 1996, about 1510 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Cessna 185, N9875X, was upset by gusty winds while taxiing from landing at Lake Hood Seaplane Base, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Lake Louise, Alaska, at 1400. The pilot reported that he landed to the west on the frozen lake and was taxiing to his parking area. Strong winds from the right were producing a weather-vaning tendency on the airplane and he countered by using engine power to maintain directional control. A gust of wind picked up the right wing and the airplane began moving sideways. The left main gear ski dug into the snow and the gear collapsed. The left wing then struck the surface of the lake. The airplane received damage to the left main gear, left wing, and the left horizontal stabilizer. The 1452 weather observation at Anchorage stated in part: Sky condition and ceiling, clear; visibility, 90 miles; temperature, 36 degrees F; dew point, 11 degrees F; wind, 010 degrees at 22 knots, gust to 28 knots; altimeter, 30.06 inHg. The pilot had landed on a frozen lake with a ski-equipped airplane and was taxiing to his parking area in a westerly direction. Strong winds from the right produced a weather-vaning tendency on the airplane and the pilot countered by using engine power to maintain directional control. A gust of wind picked up the right wing and the airplane began moving sideways. The left main gear ski dug into the snow and the gear collapsed. The left wing then struck the surface of the lake. The wind conditions were 010 degrees at 22 knots, gusting to 28. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12