# NTSB ANC87LA160: Cessna 185, N5416R, Mt. Watana, AK, September 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1987, 22:00 local (Sep 15, 1987, 06:00 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Watana, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4922
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4922/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA160

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system - water (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

AFTER LIFTOFF FROM A LAKE THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN SETTLING TOWARD THE REMAINING LAKE. THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ON THE TUNDRA, 200 YARDS FROM THE LAKE'S EDGE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DRAINED THE FUEL SUMPS ON THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THE DAY AND FOUND WATER, BUT DID NOT DRAIN THE FUEL SUMPS ON SUBSEQUENT FLIGHTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5416R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5416R), registered now, S/N 18503036, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- 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: 18503036
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis Store
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,500 total, 2,100 in this make and model, 8,400 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 37 °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 19870914058989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870914058989A), Sep 14, 1987: Cessna A185F, Mt Watana, AK, Substantial damage. Power loss just after lift off from a lake. Crashed on the tundra beyond the lake. Suspect fuel contamination.

## Other investigations on N5416R (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 NYC77FHJ01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77FHJ01), Oct 10, 1976: Cessna 185 (N5416R), Port Washingtn, NY, 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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