# NTSB ANC82DAA19: Cessna A185F, N60844, Kotzebue, AK, September 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1982, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Kotzebue, AK
- Location: 66.8848° N, 162.5981° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at RALPH WIEN MEML (OTZ), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=66.8848&lon=-162.5981&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71290
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DAA19
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71290/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAA19

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

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

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60844](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N60844), registered now, S/N 18504062 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- 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: 18504062
- Airframe hours: 395
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David L. Chauvin
- Registered owner: David L. Chauvin
- Departed: OTZ, KOTZEBUE, AK
- Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: OTZ, Ralph Wien Memorial, runway 8, 5,900 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 353 total, 172 in this make and model, 302 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820913045749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820913045749A), Sep 13, 1982: Cessna 185, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted takeoff in strong crosswind. Lost directional control during lift off.

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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