# Accident 19970409005462A: Cessna A185F, 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: Minor damage
- Collision: Midair collision, second aircraft
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- 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: N59AK, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N59AK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna A185F (registry code 2072821, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Reported engine: CONT IO520D
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 8,400 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days
- 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/19970409005462A

## 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. MADE IT BACK TO AIRPORT, LANDED. (.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 N 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 THEN FROM SLIGHLY 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 PROBABLEY '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 BELANCA'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

- N5025K, Bbavia 8GCBC: [Accident 19970409005461A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970409005461A)

## 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: Cessna 185 (N59AK), Tatitlek, AK, minor damage, 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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