# NTSB ANC02LA119: Cessna 185, N1987U, Mc Grath, AK, September 11, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 11, 2002, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Mc Grath, AK - Coordinates: 63.766666, -154.818328 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.7667&lon=-154.8183&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55689 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC02LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55689/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA119 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. A factor associated with the accident was a variable wind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The solo airline transport pilot reported that after an uneventful landing on an 800 foot long, water-filled slough, he dropped off two hunters and their gear. He said that during his landing approach, he estimated the winds to be out of the north, at 12 to 15 knots. The pilot reported that during initial climb following a northerly takeoff, the northerly winds dissipated, and the airplane would not continue to climb. The airplane collided with a stand of trees at the departure end of the slough, nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On September 11, 2002, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N1987U, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during takeoff from a remote water-filled slough, located about 52 miles north of McGrath, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country business flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Wild Alaska Trophy Outfitters, Anchorage, Alaska. The solo airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight was en route to Galena, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on September 12, the pilot reported that after an uneventful landing on an 800 foot long, water-filled slough, he dropped off two hunters and their gear. He said that during his landing approach, he estimated the winds to be out of the north, at 12 to 15 knots. The pilot reported that during initial climb following a northerly takeoff, the northerly winds dissipated, and the airplane would not continue to climb. The airplane subsequently collided with a stand of trees at the departure end of the slough, nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. Neither the pilot, nor the operator, submitted an NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1987U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1987U-2012-08-20), registration cancelled 2012-08-20, S/N 18501745, built 1970 (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: 18501745 - Engines: Continental IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mark W. Confer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MCG, Mc Grath, AK - Destination: GAL, Galena, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 15 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Temperature: 50 °F ## 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 20020911023539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020911023539A), Sep 11, 2002: Cessna A185E, Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 11, 2002, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N1987U, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a… ## Other investigations on N1987U (2) 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 ANC98LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA132), Aug 30, 1998: Cessna 185E (N1987U), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent ground loop/swerve. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. - [NTSB ANC98LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA030), Mar 24, 1998: Cessna 185E (N1987U), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions during landing. A factor was the crosswind. 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.