# NTSB ANC86LA028: Cessna 182-A, N3813D, Merrill Pass, AK, February 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1986, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Merrill Pass, AK
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4638
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4638/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA028

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - high terrain (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - whiteout (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE COULD SEE THE WHITEOUT CONDITION AHEAD. DURING THE 180 DEG TURN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE 3000 FOOT LEVEL OF THE MOUNTIAN PASS. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE WEATHER WAS A COMPLETE IFR WHITEOUT CONDITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3813D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3813D-2012-08-09), registration cancelled 2012-08-09, S/N 34513, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182-A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34513
- Airframe hours: 3510
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael Harbaugh
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1985, 50 hours before
- Departed: FLT, FLAT, AK
- Destination: 216, WASILLA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 350 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 10 °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 19860209002519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860209002519A), Feb 9, 1986: Cessna 182A, Merrill Pass, AK, Destroyed. Started a turn after attempting to outclimb white out conditions in a Pass and crashed.

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.