# NTSB ANC84LA153: Cessna 185, N4839C, Cutler River, AK, September 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1984, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Cutler River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4352
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4352/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA153

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE SPOTTING CARIBOU IN A DESCENT FROM 1500 FT MSL TO 1300 FT MSL, THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE WHILE FLYING TOWARD A LAKE FOR THE FORCED LANDING. HE STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE LOW ALT AND AIRSPEED HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE OR REACH THE LAKE. THE ACFT CRASHED ON A GRAVEL BAR. DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE ACCIDENT THE ACFT AND ENGINE COULD NOT BE RECOVERED FOR EXAMINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4839C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4839C-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 18502607, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- 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: 18502607
- Airframe hours: 1796
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cukubau Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1984, 80 hours before
- Departed: KOBUK RIVER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 494 total, 494 in this make and model, 494 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840903049689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840903049689A), Sep 3, 1984: Cessna A185F, Cutler River, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot reported engine quit while spotting caribou. Crash landed on a sandbar. Engine problem unknown.

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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