# Accident 20200514006749A: Cessna A185F, Nuiqsut, AK, May 14, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 14, 2020, 22:00 local time
- Place: Nuiqsut, AK
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: WF8C
- Location: 70.7353° N, 153.7378° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=70.7353&lon=-153.7378&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5454E, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5454E-2022-12-24) (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
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC20LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA046) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200514006749A

## Narrative

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

FACTS GATHERED FOR THIS NARRATIVE WERE DERIVED FROM THE PASSENGER (PAX) ON THE FLIGHT.  THE PILOT IN COMMAND (PIC) WAS FATALITY INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT.

FLIGHT WAS OPERATED UNDER 14 CFR PART 135 WITH INTENDED PURPOSE TO RETRIEVE WATER/SNOW MONITORING EQUIPMENT.  PIC DUTY DAY BEGAN AT APPROXIMATELY 0900 HOURS.  SEVERAL FLIGHTS CONDUCTED DURING THE DUTY DAY, PILOT OBTAINED WEATHER INFO UTILIZING COMPUTERIZED WEATHER SOURCES. AT 1900 HOURS THE PIC CHECKED WEATHER AND DECIDED TO DEPART TO PICK UP MORE EQUIPMENT.  PRIOR TO ACCIDENT FLIGHT PIC CONTACTED DEADHORSE AK FLIGHT SERVICE TO FILE FLIGHT PLAN.  AT THAT TIME PIC REPORTED TO DEADHORSE THAT WEATHER AT HIS LOCATION WAS 500 FEET OR SO WITH 3-5 MILES  VISIBILITY.  PLANE DEPARTED LAST LOCATION AT APPROXIMATELY 2200 HOURS INTENDING TO LAND AT THE NORTH SLOPE BOROUGH RESCUE (NSBR) CABIN TO PICK UP MORE EQUIPMENT.  PAX REMEMBERS SEEING 800 FEET ON ALTIMETER ENROUTE TO THE NSBR CABIN AND AS THEY APPROACHED THE CABIN PAX RECALLS SEEING 300-400 FEET AS THEY LOOKED FOR A PLACE TO LAND.  NO VIABLE LANDING SITE WAS FOUND SO THE PIC DECIDED TO HEAD BACK TO ORIGINAL DEPARTURE POINT.  PAX STATED JUST BEFORE ACCIDENT HE REMEMBERS LOOKING AT THE ALTIMETER AND SEEING 200-300 FEET. THE PIC MADE A LEFT HAND TURN, THE NEXT THING THE PAX REMEMBERS IS THE AIRCRAFT HITTING THE GROUND.  PAX STATED THAT PRIOR TO ACCIDENT HE COULD MAKE OUT TERRAIN AND OBJECTS ON THE GROUND BUT IT WAS TOUGH TO DISCERN GROUND FROM HORIZON.

THE PAX STATED THEIR DAY STARTED THAT MORNING AT 0900 AND THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 2200.  WHILE FLYING DID NOT OCCUR MUCH OF THE DAY IT IS MY OPINION FATIGUE PLAYED SOME ROLE IN THE ACCIDENT.

## 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 ANC20LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA046), May 15, 2020: Cessna A185 (N5454E), Nuiqsut, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s controlled flight into flat snow-covered terrain in weather conditions that were conducive to flat light 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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