# Accident 19980408006389A: Cessna A185F, Nightmute, AK, April 8, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 8, 1998, 16:55 local time
- Place: Nightmute, AK
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Scud Running
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: YK6C
- Location: 60.4899° N, 164.8108° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.4899&lon=-164.8108&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5485R, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5485R-2017-02-17) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna A185F (registry code 2072821, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520 series (registry code 17032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Reported engine: CONT IO520D
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Pilot flight hours: 8,800 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC98GA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98GA036) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980408006389A

## Narrative

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

(.4)THE COMMERCIAL PILOT DEPARTED ON A CFR PART 135/GOVERNMENT FLIGHT FOR A REMOTE COASTAL VILLAGE TO PICK UP THE SOLE PASSENGER. JUST BEFORE LANDING AT THE VILLAGE, LIGHT SNOW BEGAN TO FALL, AND THE WIND CONDITIONS INCREASED TO ABOUT 20 KNOTS.  THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THE PILOT OBTAINED A WEATHER BRIEFING.  THE AREA FORECAST INCLUDED ISOLATED CEILINGS BELOW 1,000 FEET, AND VISIBILITIES BELOW 3 MILES IN BLOWING SNOW AND MIST FROM OFFSHORE.  THE FORECAST WIND CONDITIONS INCLUDED 20 KNOTS TO 40 KNOTS FROM OFFSHORE.  AIRMETS WERE ISSUED FOR MODERATE LOW LEVEL TURBULENCE, MOUNTAIN OBSCURATION, STRONG SURFACE WINDS ALONG THE COAST, AND MODERATE RIME ICING IN CLOUDS.  WHEN THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE VILLAGE ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, A RESIDENT SAID THE VISIBILITY WAS 1/4 TO 1/2 MILE IN BLOWING SNOW.  THE FLIGHT DID NOT REACH THE DESTINATION.  THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED 8 MILES AWAY IN SNOW COVERED TERRAIN AFTER TWO DAYS OF BLIZZARD CONDITIONS.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE, AND EXHIBITED HIGH SPEED DESTRUCION.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION.  EVIDENCE OF ENGINE COMBUSTION, HEAT, AND ROTATION WERE NOTED DURING THE ENGINE EXAMINATION. (-23) EXACT PILOT HOURS AT TIME OF CRASH UNKNOWN. PILOT RECORDS HAVE NOT BEEN LOCATED. TOTAL 8800 AS OF MEDICAL JANUARY 1998. TOTAL AIRFRAME HOURS AS OF LAST 100 HOUR INSPECTION MARCH 1998. ON 04/08/98 APPROX. 1700 LOCAL YK AVIATION'S CE-185 N5485R, DEPARTED TOKSOOK AIRPORT TO BETHEL, ALASKA. THERE WAS NOT A FLIGHT PLAN ON FILE WITH ATC. NO RECORD WAS FOUND FOR WEATHER BRIEFING OR REQUEST FOR ONE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED FAR PART 135. AIRCRAFT WAS REPORTED OVERDUE BY MR. ALDEN HAGUE OF BETHEL. AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED BY SNOW MOBILE GROUND SEARCH TEAM. INSPECTORS HERZOG AND HODNEFIELD DEPARTED ANCHORAGE FOR BETHEL 04/10/98 AT 1600 LOCAL.

## 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 ANC98GA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98GA036), Apr 9, 1998: Cessna 185F (N5485R), Nightmute, AK, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of aircraft control. Factors in the accident were…

## Other reports on N5485R (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19780909033829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780909033829A), Sep 9, 1978: Cessna A185E (N5485R), Farewell, AK, Substantial damage. Float equipped,prctn landing,blind canyon.

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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