Probable cause
The passenger’s inadvertent application of brakes during landing that resulted in a nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that before landing at a remote tundra airstrip, he put his heels on the floor with his toes off the brake portion of the rudder pedals. Shortly after touching down, the front seat passenger inadvertently applied pressure to the brake pedals, and the airplane suddenly and violently nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, vertical stabilizer, rudder and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, nor did he brief his passenger on the risk of interfering with the brake pedals.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC23LA059 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 4, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Iliamna, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 185
- N-number
- N9855X
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1961
- 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.