# Accident 20011005037389A: Cessna 185E, Portalsworth, AK, October 5, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 5, 2001, 10:30 local time
- Place: Portalsworth, AK
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 60.3833° N, 153.8583° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3833&lon=-153.8583&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1966U, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1966U-2012-08-20) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna A185E (registry code 2072818, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185E
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC02LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA003) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011005037389A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON OCTOBER 5, 2001 AT ABOUT 1030 ALASKA DAYLIGHT TIME, A FLOAT EQUIPPED CESSNA 185 AIRPLANE, N1966U, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH THE SURFACE OF LAKE CLARK, ABOUT 18 MILES NORTHEAST OF PORT ALSWORTH, ALASKA. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT MILLER CREEK ON LAKE CLARK, ABOUT 1030. THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING OPERATED AS A VISUAL FLIGHT RULES PART 91, PERSONAL FLIGHT. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED. THE PILOT REPORTED HE DEPARTED HIS CABIN AT MILLER CREEK AND WAS FLYING NORTHEAST. DURING DESCENT TO LAND AT THE NORTHEAST END OF LAKE THE FLOATS INADVERTENTLY CONTACTED THE WATER AND THE AIRPLANE INVERTED AND SANK. THE PILOT, WHO WAS WEARING A FLOTATION JACKET, SAID HE EXITED THE AIRPLANE AND SWAM TO SHORE. THE AIRPLANE IS RESTING IN ABOUT 250 FEET OF WATER AND HAS NOT BEEN RECOVERED. FORM WILL BE UPDATED UPON RECEIPT OF WRITTEN PILOT STATEMENT.

## 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 ANC02LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA003), Oct 5, 2001: Cessna 185 (N1966U), Port Alsworth, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive descent rate and subsequent hard landing during the landing flare/touchdown. A factor in the accident was glassy water conditions.

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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