# NTSB ANC01LA090: Cessna 185, N85CG, Yakutat, AK, July 26, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 2001, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Yakutat, AK - Coordinates: 59.183334, -138.433334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.1833&lon=-138.4333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53207 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53207/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA090 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area. A factor associated with the accident were trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The certificated commerical pilot was departing from a remote airstrip. During the takeoff run, just before lift-off, the right wing struck a stand of trees. The airplane pivoted to the right and continued off the right side of the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and empennage. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 2001, about 1530 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N85CG, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote airstrip located about 45 miles east of Yakutat, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, Gulf Air Taxi, Inc., Yakutat. The solo certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company VFR flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the accident airstrip about 1525. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on August 6, the pilot reported that the he was returning to Yakutat after dropping off his passengers at the remote airstrip. The pilot said that while departing to the south, just before lift-off, the right wing struck a stand of trees. The airplane pivoted to the right and continued off the right side of the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and empennage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N85CG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85CG-2009-10-09), registration cancelled 2009-10-09, S/N 185-01927, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185 - Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18501927 - Airframe hours: 6374.6 - Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gulf Air Taxi, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 27, 2001, 46.1 hours before - Departed: Yakutat, AK - Destination: YAK, Yakutat, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: runway 18, 800 × 42 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 1, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 55 in this make and model, 2,295 as pilot in command, 280 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 9 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010726039329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010726039329A), Jul 26, 2001: Cessna A185E, Yakutat, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On t/o @ remote strip pilot lost control & aircraft ran off of runway into trees. ## Other investigations on N85CG (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 ANC00LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA002), Oct 7, 1999: Cessna A185E (N85CG), Yakutat, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. A factor associated with the accident was soft terrain. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.