Cessna 185 N62882 accident near Brooks Range, Alaska

Probable cause

The airplane's encounter with downdraft conditions during takeoff, which resulted in a subsequent loss of altitude and collision with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he took off from an off-airport unimproved, gravel surface. He recalled that the airplane climbed to about 300 ft before it encountered a "severe downdraft." The airplane subsequently descended and impacted a creek bed, and the main landing gear separated from the airframe.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the foremost fuselage bulkhead and stringers.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot reported that the wind at the accident site was from 230° at 25 knots, gusting to 30 knots and that he was landing to the southwest.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA488 for the full record.