Event ANC96LA044

Factual narrative

On April 6, 1996, at 1530 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N1692M, registered to the pilot's wife and operated by the pilot, veered left during landing at Fairbanks International Airport, Ski Strip, and nosed over upon hitting a small snow bank. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Harding Lake, Alaska, located approximately 38 miles southeast of Fairbanks. The destination was Fairbanks. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated private pilot and his two passengers were not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he said that while on final approach he encountered some low level turbulence. He continued the approach and made a three point landing. During roll out and within 100 feet of the touchdown point a strong gust of wind raised the left wing. The nose veered to the left. The pilot stated he was about to apply power when the right ski broke off. The airplane then hit a snow berm located off the side of the runway and the airplane nosed over. The pilot estimated the winds to be from 130 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 22 knots. The Fairbanks weather observation facility showed winds were from 160 degrees at 10 knots. The pilot stated he encountered low level turbulence during the final approach. He landed on the 'ski strip' and a gust of wind raised the left wing during the landing roll. The airplane veered to the left and the right ski broke off. The airplane continued off the side of the runway and struck a snow berm and nosed over. The pilot estimated the winds to be from 130 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 22 knots. The Fairbanks weather observation facility showed winds were from 160 degrees at 10 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12