Cessna A185 accident near Ninilchik, Alaska, November 12, 2016
On November 12, 2016 at about 9:15 pm local time, a 1978 Cessna A185, registered N4918Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Ninilchik, Alaska (Ninilchik airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of brake system fluid due to leaks in the o-rings, which resulted in asymmetrical braking and a subsequent loss of directional control during the landing roll.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 12, 2016 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Ninilchik, Alaska · Ninilchik · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A185 F, built 1978 · all A185s on the register
- Registration
- N4918Q · registry record · serial 18503575
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airline transport pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the previous landing, which was flown by the pilot-rated passenger, was uneventful. The pilot then conducted the second landing, during which he reported that the right brake was not operating correctly, which resulted in asymmetrical braking. The airplane ground looped and sustained substantial damage. Postaccident testing of the brake system revealed that the right brake had a small leak from both o-rings only while pressurized. Both o-rings on both calipers were replaced, the brake system was pressurized, and no further leaks were found.
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
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Miscellaneous/other during landing (landing roll)
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Hydraulic fluid › Fluid level
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Malfunction
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Braking capability › Attain/maintain not possible
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Master cylinder/brake valve › Malfunction
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Master cylinder/brake valve › Damaged/degraded
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,000 hours in all; 3,000 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 7,700 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 1, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (waiver time limited special)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 0 hours in all; 0 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,587.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 3,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors IO-520D (piston); 910 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SXQ Soldotna AK
- Destination: NIN Ninilchik AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 10, 2,400 ft by 60 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 17 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,600 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.11 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from PAHO, 23 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on September 18, 2017. 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 | Pilot's Statement 1 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot's Statement 2 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Pilot's Statement 3 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photos (Courtesy of Pilot) | PDF, 3 pages | 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.