# NTSB ANC82DAG42: Cessna 185, N3489Y, Near Tyonek, AK, August 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1982, 16:50 local (Aug 19, 1982, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Near Tyonek, AK
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DAG42
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71947/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAG42

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLOAT EQUIPPED PLANE WAS BEING USED TO TRANSPORT CARGO. A PASSENGER WAS PUT ON THE FLIGHT AT THE LAST MINUTE, BUT THE PILOT BELIEVED THE AIRCRAFT WAS WITHIN ITS MAXIMUM WEIGHT LIMIT. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT REMAINED AT A LOW ALTITUDE FOR A TIME WHILE THE PASSENGER TOOK PICTURES. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PILOT BEGAN CLIMBING TOWARD MERRIL PASS. HE REPORTED THAT AS HE ENTERED THE PASS, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN A 500 FT PER MINUTE RATE OF DESCENT. HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK WHILE IN A BOWL SHAPED AREA, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN IN THE TURN. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE LEVELED THE WINGS AND CRASH LANDED. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 3000 FT. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 60 DEGREES AND THE WIND WAS REPORTED AS LIGHT AND VARIABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3489Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3489Y), registered now, S/N 18502893 (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: 3489
- Airframe hours: 1199
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Eberlards Guide
- Registered owner: Eberlards Guide
- Departed: LAKE HOOD, AK
- Destination: LAKE HOOD, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 11,500 total, 250 in this make and model, 11,500 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 140 °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 19820818043609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820818043609A), Aug 18, 1982: Cessna 185, Tyonek, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to fly aircraft through mountain pass and crashed when airplane could not maintain altitude.

## Other investigations on N3489Y (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 ANC79DA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79DA017), Nov 8, 1978: Cessna 185 (N3489Y), Teller, 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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