# NTSB ANC86LA079: Cessna 185F, N70438, Naknek, AK, June 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1986, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Naknek, AK
- Coordinates: 58.800521, -156.900131 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8005&lon=-156.9001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4679
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4679/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA079

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AIRPLANE RAN OUT OF FUEL ON ONE TANK. ALTITUDE WAS TOO LOW TO RESTART ON OTHER TANK PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70438](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70438), registered now, S/N 18502170, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 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: 18502170
- Airframe hours: 2650
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tyson H. Whittock
- Registered owner: Terry R. Cratty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1986, 40 hours before
- Departed: UGASHIK, AK
- Destination: AKN, KING SALMON, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 2,800 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AKN, 19 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 19860616025249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860616025249A), Jun 16, 1986: Cessna 185F, Naknek, AK, Substantial damage. Engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the pilot landed on the tundra.

## Other investigations on N70438 (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA81FYE03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81FYE03), Oct 9, 1980: Cessna 185 (N70438), Seattle, WA, substantial damage

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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