Probable cause
The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the wheel-ski equipped airplane related that while en route to his home airport, he encountered an area of transient snow showers along his flight path, which required him to fly further north than originally anticipated. He said that as he approached his destination airport, the engine began to lose power, and he selected a snow-covered meadow as a forced landing site. During touchdown, the wheel-skis sank in deep snow, and both main landing gear legs collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and noted that the reason for the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC08CA049 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 9, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Big Lake, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 185
- N-number
- N185AR
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.