# NTSB ANC85LA187: Cessna 210, N6554X, Sparrevohn, AK, February 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1985, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Sparrevohn, AK
- Location: 61.1031° N, 155.5775° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sparrevohn Long Range Radar Site, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1031&lon=-155.5775&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4573
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4573/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA187

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - meteorological service - inadequate, nws personnel (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - meteorological service - inadequate, other government personnel (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - fuselage - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO SEE AND AVOID OBSTRUCTING TERRAIN. SINCE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY, THE MOUNTAINS WERE COVERED WITH SNOW AND ON AN OVERCAST DAY AND WITH THE REPORTED FOG, THE PILOT IN COMMAND EITHER FLEW INTO THE FOG, THE CLOUDS OR A WHITEOUT CONDITION. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH RISING TERRAIN DURING DESCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6554X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 57554
- Airframe hours: 2178
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-470E 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harry Stanton Taff
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1984, 50 hours before
- Departed: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BETT, 125 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 19850201001969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850201001969A), Feb 1, 1985: Cessna 210, Sparrevohn, AK, Destroyed. Uncontrolled impact with mountainous terrain. Suspect weather and pilot competence are factors.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.