# NTSB ANC87LA042: Cessna 185F, N2449J, Anchorage, AK, March 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1987, 13:58 local (17:58 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.190467, -149.939849 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1905&lon=-149.9398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (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): 4826
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4826/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - starting engine(s)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - improper use of equipment/aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO START HIS AIRPLANE DUE TO A WEAK BATTERY AND ELECTED TO START THE UNSECURED ACFT'S ENGINE BY HAND-PROPPING. THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED AWAY FROM ITS TIE-DOWN AREA AND INTO A BUILDING BEFORE THE PILOT COULD REENTER THE COCKPIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2449J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2449J), registered now, S/N 18504364, built 1982 (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: 18504364
- Airframe hours: 350
- Engines: Continental IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Raymond A. Powell
- Registered owner: Raymond A. Powell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 1986, 114 hours before
- Destination: ENA, KENAI, AK
- Airport: Z41, Lake Hood Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,050 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 18 °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 19870301003649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870301003649A), Mar 1, 1987: Cessna A185F, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft taxied into a hangar. The pilot had hand propped the engine without tiedown, chocks or other help.

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.