# NTSB ANC71AA026: Cessna 185, N3539F, Metlakatla, AK, October 27, 1970

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 27, 1970
- Place: Metlakatla, AK · METLAKATLA, AK
- Location: 55.1146° N, 131.5556° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Metlakatla, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.1146&lon=-131.5556&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 4, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 167684
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC71AA026
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC71AA026

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1707  70/10/27   METLAKATLA,ALAS     CESSNA 185          CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 27, 10540
        TIME - 1730                    N3539F              PX-  0  0  1  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 7005 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          KETCHIKAN,ALAS              KETCHIKAN,ALAS               METLAKATLA,ALAS
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    LANDING: ROLL
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           TERRAIN - HIDDEN OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
        REMARKS- FLOATS STRUCK KNOWN REEF SUBMERGED BY MURKY WATER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3539F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3539F-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 185-1439, built 1968 (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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N3539F (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 ANC99LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA049), Apr 23, 1999: Cessna 185E (N3539F), Haines, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions.

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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