# NTSB ANC85FA124: Cessna A-185F, N61155, Elmendorf Afb, AK, July 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1985, 14:56 local (22:56 UTC)
- Place: Elmendorf Afb, AK
- Coordinates: 61.270751, -149.790405 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2708&lon=-149.7904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4419
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85FA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4419/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85FA124

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight manuals - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A LAKE THE ACFT STALLED, DID A HALF SPIN & NOSED INTO THE WATER. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING ACFT NOSE PITCHING UP & DOWN & WINGS WOBBLING JUST PRIOR TO THE STALL. THIS WAS PLT'S FIRST FLT IN THIS TYPE ACFT WITHOUT AN INSTRUCTOR. THE ACFT WAS HEAVILY LOADED WITH PASSENGERS & FISHING GEAR. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, HE ADJUSTED THE RPM TO CLIMB PWR THEN ADJUSTED THE FLAPS WHICH WAS THE ORDER IN WHICH HE WAS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO. THE ACFT FLT MANUAL SAYS TO ADJUST FLAPS FIRST THEN PWR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61155](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61155), registered now, S/N 18504114 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A-185F
- 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: 18504114
- Airframe hours: 1652
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ft. Richardson Flying Club
- Registered owner: Jansen Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1985, 68 hours before
- Destination: BELUGA LAKE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE, Six Mile Lake Seaplane, runway 27, 4,200 ×  ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private, commercial, military; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 776 total, 5 in this make and model, 548 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 23,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EDF, 2 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 19850710030499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850710030499A), Jul 10, 1985: Cessna A185F, Elmendorf Afb, AK, Destroyed. Reduced power and flaps after takeoff and spun into the water. First seaplane flight without instructor.

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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