Cessna A185F accident near King Salmon, Alaska, June 29, 2016
On June 29, 2016 at about 10:30 pm local time, a 1974 Cessna A185F, registered N3969Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near King Salmon, Alaska (King Salmon airport). It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while landing in gusty wind conditions, resulting in a noseover.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2016 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- King Salmon, Alaska · King Salmon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A185F F, built 1974 · all A185Fs on the register
- Registration
- N3969Q · registry record · serial 18502216
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that upon touchdown on runway 12, the left quartering headwind switched to a direct crosswind forcing the nose of the airplane to the left. The right wing contacted the runway surface and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the empennage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. Wind at the time of the accident was reported to be from 070 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 22 knots. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,650 hours in all; 675 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 6,290 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 23, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,101 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 24, 2016; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO520/D (piston); 95 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AKN King Salmon AK
- Destination: AKN King Salmon AK
- Runway 12, 8,901 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 13 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on October 25, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Airport Manager Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Onscene Record of Conversation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photograph (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.