# NTSB ANC85FA163: Cessna 180H, N417GP, Mt. Palmer, AK, August 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1985, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Palmer, AK
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4427
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85FA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4427/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85FA163

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - object - animal(s) (contributing factor)
- Midair collision, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - object - animal(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH CESSNA 180 AND CRASHED ON MOUNTAIN SIDE ABOUT ONE-QUARTER MILE APART. PIPER WAS SIGHTSEEING AND CESSNA WAS SPOTTING SHEEP. SCATTERED CLOUDS WERE REPORTED ABOUT 300 FEET ABOVE THE POINTS OF GROUND IMPACT.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH PIPER J-5 AND CRASHED ON MOUNTAIN SIDE. J-5 WAS SIGHTSEEING AND CESSNA WAS SPOTTING SHEEP. TWO AIRCRAFT IMPACTED ONE-QUARTER MILE APART. SCATTERED CLOUDS WERE REPORTED ABOUT 300 FEET ABOVE THE POINTS OF GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N417GP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N417GP-1985-08-25), registration cancelled 1985-08-25, S/N 18051538 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051538
- Airframe hours: 1871
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glenn Alan Pabst
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1985, 37 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N38588](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38588-2012-11-14), registration cancelled 2012-11-14, S/N 5-1008, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J5A
- Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5-1008
- Engines: Lycoming O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leo V. Marble
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1985
- Departed: PA0, PALMER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N417GP; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 300 total, 65 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N38588; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 325 total, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850825073231A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850825073231A), Aug 25, 1985: Cessna 180H, Mt Palmer, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Collided with 38588 while looking for sheep hunting area. Uncontrollable descent and impact in mountainous area.
- [Accident 19850825073232A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850825073232A), Aug 25, 1985: Piper J5A, Mt Palmer, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Collided with 417GP over noted sightseeing area. Wing portion separated prior to impact on the side of a mountain.

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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