# NTSB ANC07CA061: Cessna 185F, N9464H, Port Alsworth, AK, July 6, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 5, 2007, 16:00 local (Jul 6, 2007, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Alsworth, AK
- Coordinates: 60.809444, -152.532226
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8094&lon=-152.5322&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Anchroage FSDO-03
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66232
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC07CA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66232/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07CA061

## Probable cause

The pilot's flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain while maneuvering.  A factor contributing to the accident was interference by the pilot-rated passenger.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - flight into adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - control interference - intentional, pilot passenger (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The private certificated pilot was conducting a personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, in a float equipped airplane.  In an interview, the pilot said he received a full weather briefing, and filed a VFR flight plan, which included transiting a narrow mountain pass.  He said prior to entering the mountain pass, three airplanes flying in the opposite direction exited the pass, leading him to believe it was open.  The pilot said once inside the pass, the clouds closed in rapidly, and he lost sight of the river he was following.  In a written statement, the pilot reported that the pass was "scuddy," and that he started a slow descent.  Upon losing sight of the river he reported that he asked the pilot rated, right seat passenger if he could see the river.  He wrote that the passenger, seeing a stream on the right, panicked, and said "turn right," and grabbed the controls, turning the airplane to the right.  The pilot indicated that he regained the controls, and made a steep left turn, at which time the airplane impacted on a 45 degree slope.  In his written statement, the pilot reported that he should have entered the pass at a lower altitude, and should not have been "scud running."   He indicated that the accident would not have happened if the passenger had not panicked, grabbed the controls, and made the right turn.  According to the pilot, there were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and that the airplane received substantial damage to the wings and fuselage during the impact with terrain.

## Factual narrative

The private certificated pilot was conducting a personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, in a float equipped airplane.  In an interview, the pilot said he received a full weather briefing, and filed a VFR flight plan, which included transiting a narrow mountain pass.  He said prior to entering the mountain pass, three airplanes flying in the opposite direction exited the pass, leading him to believe it was open.  The pilot said once inside the pass, the clouds closed in rapidly, and he lost sight of the river he was following.  In a written statement, the pilot reported that the pass was "scuddy," and that he started a slow descent.  Upon losing sight of the river he reported that he asked the pilot rated, right seat passenger if he could see the river.  He wrote that the passenger, seeing a stream on the right, panicked, and said "turn right," and grabbed the controls, turning the airplane to the right.  The pilot indicated that he regained the controls, and made a steep left turn, at which time the airplane impacted on a 45 degree slope.  In his written statement, the pilot reported that he should have entered the pass at a lower altitude, and should not have been "scud running."   He indicated that the accident would not have happened if the passenger had not panicked, grabbed the controls, and made the right turn.  According to the pilot, there were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and that the airplane received substantial damage to the wings and fuselage during the impact with terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9464H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9464H), registered now, S/N 18503440 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 03440
- Airframe hours: 2475
- Engines: Continental IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George Gadberry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2007
- Departed: IGG, Igiugig, AK
- Destination: Lucille Lake, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review January 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 4,262 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft
- Temperature: 64 °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 20070705020439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070705020439A), Jul 5, 2007: Cessna A185F, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated as they were flying west to east through lake clark pass in the Alaska mountain range, they encountered deteriorating weather while…

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.

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