# Accident 19980915028709A: Cessna A185F, Fairbanks, AK, September 15, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 15, 1998, 16:00 local time
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Init Climb(1st Pwr Reduct)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 64.6704° N, 147.0393° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.6704&lon=-147.0393&mi=10
- Aircraft: N93904, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93904) (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: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 13,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC98LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA151) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980915028709A

## Narrative

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

(.4) THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS FLYING A FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE FROM A REMOTE MOUNTAIN AREA TO PICK UP SUPPLIES FOR A HUNTING/GUIDE BUSINESS. DURING THE FLIGHT, WEATHER CONDITIONS, CONSISTING OF LOW CEILINGS AND LOW VISIBILITY, FORCED THE PILOT TO DEVIATE FROM HIS PLANNED ROUTE.  HE WAS FLYING OVER A PUBLIC USE CABIN LOCATED ON A REMOTE LAKE, AND NOTICED A PERSON ON THE GROUND WAVING.  THE PILOT LANDED ON THE LAKE TO WAIT FOR IMPROVING WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND TO DETERMINE IF THE PERSON AT THE CABIN WAS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE.  AFTER WAITING FOR BETTER WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE PILOT BEGAN A TAKEOFF FROM THE LAKE WITHOUT THE PERSON AT THE CABIN.  THE PILOT ESTIMATED THE LAKE WAS ABOUT 1/4 MILE LONG. AS THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT TO LIFT OFF, THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH SEVERAL TREES LOCATED ALONG THE BANK OF THE LAKE. THE AIRPLANE THEN COLLIDED WITH THE SHORE, AND RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, PROPELLER, LEFT WING, THE RIGHT WING LIFT STRUT, AND THE FLOAT ASSEMBLIES. (-23) PILOT LANDED ON A SMALL LAKE TO WAIT FOR IMPROVING WEATHER CONDITIONS.  WHEN WEATHER IMPROVED HE BEGAN THE TAKEOFF, AS THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT TO LIFT OFF, THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH SEVERAL TREES LOCATED ALON G THE BANK OF THE LAKE. THE AIRPLANE THEN COLLIDED WITH THE SHORE.  RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE ENG. PROP, LEFT WING, RIGHT STRUT AND FLOAT ASSEMBLIES.

## 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 ANC98LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA151), Sep 16, 1998: Cessna 185F (N93904), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff and his failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance.

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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