This April 2007 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.Aircraft: Cessna 185.
Location: Ashland, Maine.
Injuries: None.
Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot had logged 1,924 hours, which included about 1,660 hours in a Cessna 185. The airplane was equipped with skis. The pilot landed on a frozen, slush-covered lake. The pilot noted that the airplane required a lot of engine power to taxi. While attempting a left turn, he felt a slight bump and a dragging sensation. He increased engine power.
The tail of the airplane quickly shifted to the right. The pilot immediately applied right rudder and pulled the power back, however, the right ski sunk into the slush. The airplane nosed over onto the right wing.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control while taxiing, which resulted in a nose over. A factor was the frozen, slush covered lake.
