# NTSB ANC83LA023: Cessna 185A, N4939Q, Sawmill Bay, AK, December 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 14, 1982, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Sawmill Bay, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA023

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - flare - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED GUSTY WIND AND EXPERIENCED POWER LOSS DURING TAKEOFF. THE PILOT MADE A HARD LANDING ON THE WATER AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER BUT DID NOT SINK. IT WASHED ASHORE ON A ROCKY BEACH AND WAS DESTROYED BY WAVE ACTION. NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4939Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4939Q-1983-03-29), registration cancelled 1983-03-29, S/N 18503579, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185A
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503579
- Airframe hours: 1252
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chisum Flying Service
- Registered owner: Chisum Flying Service
- Departed: SAWMILL BAY, AK
- Destination: CDV, CORDOVA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 10,254 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 10,195 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 104 °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 19821214065169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821214065169A), Dec 14, 1982: Cessna A185F, Port San Juan, AK, Destroyed. Pilot stated engine quit shortly after takeoff. Crash occurred during emergency landing attempt.

## Other investigations on N4939Q (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 LAX81DUJ05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DUJ05), Oct 15, 1980: Cessna 185 (N4939Q), Phoenix, AZ, 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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