# NTSB ANC86LA108: Cessna 170B, N4649C, Blackburn, AK, July 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1986, 23:50 local (Jul 15, 1986, 07:50 UTC)
- Place: Blackburn, AK
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4702/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA108

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause)
  - insuff standards/requirements,operation/operator, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(flight and ground schedule), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

ACFT UNDERSHOT APCH AND CRASHED INTO A RIVER WHILE EXECUTING A LOW CIRCLING APCH TO LAND AT A NEARBY GRAVEL BAR. PLT STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN ON DUTY FOR ABOUT 18 HRS, HAD FLOWN 8.4 HRS THAT DAY HAULING FISH AND THAT HE WAS TIRED AND 'PLAYING AROUND'. ACFT SANK IN 25 - 30 FT WATER AND WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4649C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4649C-1996-09-10), registration cancelled 1996-09-10, S/N 25593 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25593
- Airframe hours: 2541
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: William D. Thurmond
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1986, 138 hours before
- Departed: GAL, GALENA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,461 total, 592 in this make and model, 1,415 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19860714033999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860714033999A), Jul 14, 1986: Cessna 170B, Blackburn, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft landed short during a circling approach to a gravel bar. The water was glassy and the pilot fatigued.

## Other investigations on N4649C (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 DIA69D0190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA69D0190), Apr 20, 1969: Cessna 170B (N4649C), Richmond, VA, 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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