# NTSB ANC87LA099: Cessna 185, N1977U, King Salmon, AK, July 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1987, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: King Salmon, AK
- Coordinates: 58.750293, -156.539672 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.7503&lon=-156.5397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4873
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4873/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA099

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF ON THE RIVER HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO COLLIDE WITH A BOAT DOCK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1977U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1977U), registered now, S/N 18501715, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185501715
- Airframe hours: 800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nile P. Ersland.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 1986, 60 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 33 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870718035269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870718035269A), Jul 18, 1987: Cessna A185E, King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage. The float equipped aircraft collided with a boat dock during a river takeoff abort. Pilot reported strong currents.

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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