# NTSB ANC82DAG54: Cessna 185F, N1453Q, Mcgrath, AK, July 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1982, 00:15 local (08:15 UTC)
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Location: 62.9564° N, 155.5958° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of McGrath, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.9564&lon=-155.5958&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71625
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DAG54
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71625/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAG54

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED MCGRATH, AK AT 2200 ADT ON A FLIGHT TO BEAR CREEK, AK. HE REPORTED THAT THE WEATHER BECAME RAINY AND HAZY, AND HE COULD NOT LAND AT BEAR CREEK DUE TO THE DETERIORATING WEATHER. HE STARTED TO DIVERT BACK TO MCGRATH, BUT LOW CLOUDS PREVENTED FURTHER VFR IN THAT DIRECTION. THEREFORE, HE CIRCLED OVER AN AREA THAT WAS CLEAR, HOPING FOR AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE WEATHER. DUE TO THE WEATHER AND APPROACHING DARKNESS, HE ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A LANDING IN A MEADOW AT LATE DUSK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1453Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503481
- Airframe hours: 591
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mark Gruszczynski
- Registered owner: Mark Gruszczynski
- Departed: MCGRATH, AK
- Destination: BEAR CREEK, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,100 total, 120 in this make and model, 1,990 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast

## 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 19820729055819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820729055819A), Jul 29, 1982: Cessna 185F, Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage. Ran into deteriorating weather at dusk. Elected to land off airport. Rough ground damaged aircraft.

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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