# Accident 19970409005461A: Bbavia 8GCBC, Tatitlek, AK, April 9, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 9, 1997, 12:55 local time
- Place: Tatitlek, AK
- Damage: Destroyed
- Collision: Midair collision, first aircraft
- Phase of flight: Unknown/Not Reported
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 60.8801° N, 146.6508° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8801&lon=-146.6508&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5025K, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5025K-1999-01-26) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bellanca 8GCBC (registry code 1220803, https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BBAVIA 8GCBC
- Reported engine: LYC O360C2E
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Pilot flight hours: 9,850 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC97FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97FA051) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970409005461A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

FISH SPOTTING COLLIDED IN MID AIR WITH OTHER FISH SPOTTING PLANE. CRASHED INTO OCEAN. (.4) THE TWO AIRPLANES COLLIDED WHILE ENGAGED IN FISH SPOTTING IN A RURAL AREA OF ALASKA. THE PILOT AND OBSERVER OF THE CESSNA 185, N59AK, SAID THEY WERE CRUISING OVER WATER AT 2,000 FEET MSL IN STRAIGHT AND LEVEL FLIGHT, ABOUT TO EXIT A BAY. THEY SAID THEY DID NOT SEE THE OTHER AIRPLANE UNTIL AN INSTANT BEFORE IMPACT, AND THAT THE BELLANCA, N5025K, SEEMED TO APPROACH THEM FROM SLIGHTLY BELOW, AND SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT, OR ABOUT THEIR 1 O'CLOCK POSITION. THE PILOT RELATED THAT HE DOES NOT RECALL A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO AVOID THE COLLISION, BUT THAT HE PROBABLY `INSTINCTIVELY' PULLED BACK ON THE WHEEL. THE BELLANCA FELL NEARLY STRAIGHT INTO THE SEA. THE CESSNA PILOT SAID THE RIGHT FLOAT WAS SLASHED BY THE BELLANCA'S PROPELLER. A PORTION OF THE BELLANCA'S RIGHT WING FUEL TANK WAS FOUND IMBEDDED IN THE RIGHT FLOAT OF THE CESSNA. BOTH AIRPLANES HAVE HIGH WINGS. THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA SAID THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND SUNNY, WITH REFLECTED SUNGLARE FROM THE WATER AND SNOW COVERED MOUNTAINS.

## Other aircraft in the event

- N59AK, Cessna A185F: [Accident 19970409005462A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970409005462A)

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC97FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97FA051), Apr 9, 1997: Bellanca 8GCBC (N5025K), Tatitlek, AK, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The command pilots of both airplanes inadequate visual outlook which led to their failure to see and avoid each other's airplane. A factor associated with the accident was sunglare.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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