# NTSB ANC82DA073: Cessna 185, N79SC, Near Skwentna, AK, August 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1982, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Near Skwentna, AK
- Coordinates: 61.929847, -151.730041 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9298&lon=-151.7300&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 August 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71929
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71929/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA073

## 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
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE FLOAT PLANE BEGAN HIS TAKEOFF FROM A NARROW RIVER WITH A LEFT TURN AT THE LIFT-OFF POINT. AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE AND WHILE TURNING, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A BRANCH.  THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN THE TREES, UPSIDE DOWN. ALSO, HE SUGGESTED THAT HE WAS A BIT OVERCONFIDENT IN HIS ABILITY TO PERFORM THE TAKEOFF IN THAT AIRCRAFT UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79SC-2013-08-28), registration cancelled 2013-08-28, S/N 18502406, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185246
- Airframe hours: 2515
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Warren Linden Huppi
- Registered owner: Warren Linden Huppi
- Departed: NEAR SKWENTNA, AK
- Destination: TALACHULITNA RI, AK
- Airport: Narrow River

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,500 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 3,400 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Temperature: 158 °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 19820816038479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820816038479A), Aug 16, 1982: Cessna A185F, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Float plane struck trees on turnout from a water takeoff in a narrow river gorge. Cartwheeled and stopped inverted.

## Other investigations on N79SC (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 ANC89LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA167), Sep 20, 1989: Cessna A185F (N79SC), Nenana River, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITION.

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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