Probable cause
The pilot's inability to maintain directional control after the airplane's main landing gear tire deflated during takeoff.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was taking off from a remote off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. He stated that during takeoff, the left main landing gear tire deflated, the airplane swerved to the left and clipped a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and tail.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC14CA077 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 7, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Gakona, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 185
- N-number
- N432X
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1961
- 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.