Cessna 185 accident near Yakutat, Alaska, October 22, 1995
On October 22, 1995 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Cessna 185, registered N4755Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Yakutat, Alaska (Francis Strip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in his failure (or inability) to maintain directional control of the airplane, while attempting to negotiate a bend (dog-leg) in the runway. Factors relating to the accident were: variable/gusty wind conditions, wet (grass) runway condition, and a bend (dog-leg) in the landing area.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 22, 1995 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Yakutat, Alaska · Francis Strip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 185 · all 185s on the register
- Registration
- N4755Q · registry record · serial 185-1212
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The certificated private pilot was landing toward the south on a wet, 1,600 foot long grass covered strip. About half way down the landing area, the strip had a 15 degree bend to the right. During the landing roll, the pilot attempted to turn the airplane to the right at the dogleg in the airstrip, but the airplane did not respond. The left wingtip struck several bushes, spinning the airplane sideways. The airplane received damage to both wings, tail assembly, and landing gear. The pilot indicated that the wind was from the southeast with gusts to about 15 knots. Witnesses on the ground reported that after the accident, gusty wind conditions varied from the north and east.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,114 hours in all; 1,800 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 22 in the last 30 days; 2,114 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,053 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 11, 1995; 54 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: JNU Juneau AK at 4:39 pm
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 18, 1,600 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 135° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,500 ft; scat at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N4755Q 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.