The pilot was landing a wheel/ski-equipped Cessna 185 on a frozen, wind-blown, ice and snow-covered lake near Nenana, Alaska.
He had established a landing area earlier in the day, by laying down ski tracks with a friend’s ski-equipped airplane.
Upon touchdown, the plane did not slow as expected, and it began to veer off the proposed landing area.
While attempting to correct for the veer, the right ski struck a hole hidden underneath the snow and ice, and the right main landing gear leg separated from the airplane.
The plane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as the pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
NTSB Identification: ANC14CA009
This November 2013 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
