Probable cause
A broken wheel/ski clevis pin, which allowed the ski to pivot upward and strike the right wing lift strut.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, after departing from a snow-covered glacier in a wheel/ski-equipped airplane, he retracted the skis in preparation for landing on a paved runway. During the retraction, the right wheel/ski pivoted up, striking the airplane's right wing lift strut, which sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination revealed that the ski's right rear clevis pin had broken, which allowed the ski to pivot upward. Other than the broken clevis pin, there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC12CA010 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 23, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Talkeetna, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna A185F
- N-number
- N121EE
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
Other records under this N-number
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.