# NTSB ANC82FA079: Cessna A185F, N3357S, Clarks Point, AK, August 31, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1982, 19:45 local (Aug 31, 1982, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Clarks Point, AK
- Coordinates: 58.829841, -158.530761 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8298&lon=-158.5308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70258
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82FA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70258/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82FA079

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE NEAR THE SHORE LINE OF THE BAY NEAR CLARKS POINT. AT ONE POINT IN THE FLIGHT, WHICH HAD BEEN ERRATIC SINCE TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT PULLED UP INTO A VERTICAL CLIMB STALLED AND SPUN TO THE WATER. THE PILOT WAS A STUDENT PILOT WITH LITTLE EXPERIENCE. NO MALFUNCTIONS OF THE EQUIPMENT WAS FOUND. TWO TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS OF THE PILOT'S BLOOD WERE MADE, ONE INDICATED 0.208% ALCOHOL, THE OTHER INDICATED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 226MG/DL. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THE PILOT HAVING FLOWN BETWEEN 5/19/82 AND 8/30/83. THE STUDENT HAD NOT BEEN ENDORSED OR APPROVED TO FLY THE CESSNA 180/185 AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3357S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3357S-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 18502279, 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: 18502279
- Airframe hours: 973
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D(24) 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Theron John Thorson
- Registered owner: Theron John Thorson
- Departed: DLG, DILLINGHAM, AK
- Airport: CLP, Clarks Point, runway 26, 2,730 × 100 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 59 total, 5 in this make and model, 17 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 113 °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 19820830045519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820830045519A), Aug 30, 1982: Cessna 185, Clarks Point, AK, Destroyed. Intoxicated student pilot stalled and spun in during a steep pull-up from low level erratic flying in area.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.