Cessna 185 N748WP accident near Anchorage, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was performing touch-and-go landings, and he reported that the wind at the time was relatively calm. While on downwind on his fourth touch-and-go, the pilot felt turbulence and decided this would be his last landing. The landing was normal, the touchdown was smooth, the throttle was closed, and the airplane was decelerating through 40-45 mph when a gust of wind from the left caused the right wing to lift and the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite aileron and rudder; however, the airplane departed the runway into the grass which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC24LA059 for the full record.