# NTSB ANC81FA039: Cessna 185F, N456AP, Delta Junction, AK, April 2, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: April 2, 1981
- Place: Delta Junction, AK · DELTA JUNCTION, AK
- Location: 64.0567° N, 145.6924° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Delta Junction, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.0567&lon=-145.6924&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127055
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC81FA039
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81FA039

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0821   81/4/2  NR.DELTA JUNCTION,AK  CESSNA 185F         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 48, 10300
        TIME - 1117                    N456AP              PX-  0  0  0  OTHER                     TOTAL HOURS, 2700 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          FAIRBANKS,AK                RETURN                       VALDEZ,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - SNOW
           TERRAIN - SNOW-COVERED
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               0
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          ZERO                                                     SNOW
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          BLOWING SNOW                                              25
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          300                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      VFR
        REMARKS- HYD WHEEL/SKI.OIL PIPELINE SURVEILLANCE.PLT STD DRNG 180DEG TURN PWR NOT INC OR YOKE NOT PLD BACK.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N456AP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N456AP-1982-11-16), registration cancelled 1982-11-16, S/N 18503791, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (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 19810402038869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810402038869A), Apr 2, 1981: Cessna A185F, Delta Junction, AK, Substantial damage. Encountered heavy snow-showers. Flew into ground during 180 turn. Failed to use power or back pressure in turn.

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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