# NTSB ANC87LA027: Cessna 185D, N75LE, North Pole, AK, January 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1987, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: North Pole, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809783, -147.720855 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8098&lon=-147.7209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4817
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4817/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA027

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE RIGHT DOWNWIND APPROACH TO THE AIRSTRIP THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL; THE ENGINE QUIT AND THEN HE ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON THE RWY.  INSPECTION REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE ACFT AND THE FUEL GAUGES REGISTERED EMPTY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base turn

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75LE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75LE), registered now, S/N 185-0870, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185D
- Registry model: [Cessna 185D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185d) (registry code 2072812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-0870
- Airframe hours: 2200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth R. Mendes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 12, 1985
- Departed: MTF, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Destination: BRADLEY SKY RAN, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 900 total, 800 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 10 °F, dew point 7 °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 19870127001169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870127001169A), Jan 27, 1987: Cessna 185D, North Pole, AK, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion while the aircraft was downwind for landing. The pilot failed to check fuel.

## Other investigations on N75LE (5)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC13CA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA075), Aug 8, 2013: Cessna 185D (N75LE), North Pole, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The malfunction of the right main wheel brake during taxi due to a faulty O-ring in the right brake pedal master cylinder.
- [NTSB ANC93LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA086), May 23, 1993: Cessna 185 (N75LE), Barrow, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR SPRING.
- [NTSB ANC89LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA111), Jul 1, 1989: Cessna 185 (N75LE), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. THE CROSSWIND AND GUSTS WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
- [NTSB ANC85LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA095), Jun 14, 1985: Cessna 185 (N75LE), Kantishna, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC81DA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DA006), Nov 26, 1980: Cessna 185 (N75LE), Fort Yukon, AK, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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From OpenAirDocs.org, an independent open copy of NTSB and FAA data. The NTSB's own report is the official record of an investigation.