# NTSB ANC76DAG96: Cessna 185, N1978U, Big Lake, AK, February 27, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 27, 1976
- Place: Big Lake, AK · BIG LAKE, AK
- Location: 61.5450° N, 149.8180° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Big Lake, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5450&lon=-149.8180&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 22, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 201318
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC76DAG96
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAG96-201318

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0131  76/2/27    BIG LAKE,AK         CESSNA 185          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 49, 766
        TIME - 1740                    N1978U              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 52 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          ANCHORAGE,AK                RETURN                       BIG LAKE,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: SNOWBANK                                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WHITEOUT
        REMARKS- PARTIAL WHITEOUT DUE DUSK. DIDNT MAKE LOW PASS TO CK AREA. HIT SNOW BERM.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1978U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1978U), registered now, S/N 18501718, 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19760227003209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760227003209A), Feb 27, 1976: Cessna A185E, Big Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Partial whiteout due dusk. Didnt make low pass to ck area. Hit snow berm.

## Other investigations on N1978U (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 ANC76DAH31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH31), Jun 12, 1976: Cessna 185 (N1978U), Cantwell, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC71DAG71](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC71DAG71), Feb 27, 1971: Cessna A185E (N1978U), Kalskag, AK, substantial damage

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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