# NTSB ANC82FA012: Cessna A185F, N3343S, Bethel, AK, January 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1982, 09:39 local (13:39 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, AK
- Coordinates: 60.80912, -161.849258 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8091&lon=-161.8493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69937
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82FA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69937/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82FA012

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - too cold (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories - erratic (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction

## Analysis

WHEN A PASSENGER ARRIVED FOR A CHARTER FLIGHT, THE INTENDED AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT START. THEREFORE, CESSNA A185F, N3343S, A WHEEL/SKI EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT WAS SELECTED FOR THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE HAD BEEN EXTREMELY COLD ON THE PRECEEDING NIGHT. HE INDICATED THAT HE HAD PREVIOUSLY PREHEATED AND HAD RUN-UP THE AIRCRAFT, THEN REPLACED THE ENGINE COVER AND PLUGGED-IN THE HEATER. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE CYCLED THE PROPELLER ONCE WHILE TAXIING TO THE RUNWAY. HOWEVER, THE OIL TEMPERATURE WAS NOT YET IN THE OPERATING RANGE. AT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF -21 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, IT WOULD NOT HEAT UP AT THE LOW POWER SETTING NECESSARY FOR TAXIING. THE TAKEOFF WAS NORMAL UNTIL THE PILOT REDUCED THE PROPELLER RPM. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE SURGED. THE PILOT ATTRIBUTED THE SURGE TO COLD OIL IN THE GOVERNOR SYSTEM AND ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AND LAND. REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION DURING THE TURN. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND STRUCK THE GROUND DURING A RECOVERY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3343S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3343S-2012-11-06), registration cancelled 2012-11-06, S/N 18502277, built 1973 (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: 18502277
- Airframe hours: 2762
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D24 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Executive Charter Service
- Registered owner: Nelson Island Air Service Inc.
- Departed: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Destination: NAPAKIAK, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: BET, Bethel, runway 18, 4,000 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,105 in this make and model, 5,705 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: -6 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BET

## Other investigations on N3343S (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 ANC81DAG48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG48), Jul 2, 1981: Cessna 185 (N3343S), Nightmute, 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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