# NTSB ANC84LA193: Cessna 185, N70123, Skwentna, AK, September 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1984, 19:30 local (Sep 29, 1984, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Coordinates: 61.930862, -151.730987 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9309&lon=-151.7310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4383
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4383/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA193

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - rain
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PLT WAS RETURNING TO DEPARTURE POINT BECAUSE OF POOR WX AND DARKNESS. DURING APCH PLT COULD NOT CLEARLY SEE LANDING AREA. ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND. PLT STATED ACFT SETTLED INTO BUSHES AND WAS YAWED INTO TREES BECAUSE HE LET TOO MUCH AIRSPEED BLEED OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N70123 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18502005
- Airframe hours: 2907
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chester Godin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1984, 26 hours before
- Departed: AK
- Destination: AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 6 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 16 °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 19840928060989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840928060989A), Sep 28, 1984: Cessna A185E, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Returned to takeoff site because of poor weather and approaching darkness. Misaligned, go around, struck trees.

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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