# NTSB ANC83LA185: Cessna 185A, N1688Z, Aniak, AK, September 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1983, 16:15 local (Sep 14, 1983, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Aniak, AK
- Coordinates: 61.1996, -158.600051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1996&lon=-158.6001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4180
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4180/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA185

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - stall/mush
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A STRIP NEAR A CAMP SITE. REPORTEDLY, THE STRIP WAS LOCATED ON A HILL (LEVEL BENCH AREA) & WAS ORIENTED GENERALLY IN A NORTH/SOUTH DIRECTION. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 080 DEG AT ABOUT 15 GUSTING 18 KTS. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A ROBERTSON STOL KIT WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE PLT, DIMINISHES ITS X-WIND CAPABILITY. HE REPORTED THAT HE LIFTED OFF NEAR THE END OF THE RWY AT APRX 50 TO 55 MPH, THEN ABOUT 300 FROM THE END, THE ACFT BEGAN TO SETTLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT TOUCHED DOWN ON ROUGH TERRAIN & WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT DUE TO THE TERRAIN, THE WIND (BEYOND THE END OF THE RWY) HAD SHIFTED TO A QUARTERING TAILWIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1688Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1688Z), registered now, S/N 1850488 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185A
- Registry model: [Cessna 185A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185a) (registry code 2072804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1850488
- Airframe hours: 7000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kelly L. Vrem
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1982, 200 hours before
- Airport: ANI, Gravel Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,300 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 4,100 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BET, 98 nm away

## 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 19830913055209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830913055209A), Sep 13, 1983: Cessna 185A, Aniak, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed 300 feet off end of strip during takeoff.

## Other investigations on N1688Z (3)

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 ANC84LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA191), Sep 21, 1984: Cessna 185 (N1688Z), Mt Plummer, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC81DA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DA065), Jun 19, 1981: Cessna 185 (N1688Z), Bethel, AK, minor damage
- [NTSB ANC72FAD02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC72FAD02), Jan 7, 1972: Cessna 185A (N1688Z), Haines, 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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