Cessna A185F accident near Fairbanks, Alaska, March 20, 2021
On March 20, 2021 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 1977 Cessna A185F, registered N58316, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Fairbanks, Alaska (Fairbanks Intl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 20, 2021 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Fairbanks, Alaska · Fairbanks Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A185F, built 1977 · all A185Fs on the register
- Registration
- N58316 · registry record · serial 18503284
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, he was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane on an asphalt surfaced runway in a slight right crosswind. After touchdown, the airplane veered to the right. Not knowing the reason for the veer, the pilot allowed the airplane to turn to the right and did not attempt to correct. The airplane ground looped to the right and the left wing impacted the ground sustaining substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot listed multiple ways the accident may have been prevented, including but not limited to, receiving additional training on landing technique in the airplane.
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 (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,543 hours in all; 170 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 1,430 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 15, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,944 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 16, 2020
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO 520 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: INR Mckinley Park AK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 02R/, 6,501 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 21°F (-6°C), dew point -2°F (-19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.76 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from PAFA, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PAFA 202353Z 09009KT 10SM CLR M06/M19 A2976 RMK AO2 SLP092 T10611194 11061 21233 58014
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 20, 2021. 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 | Photos (Courtesy of Pilot) | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N58316 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.