# NTSB ANC88FA083: Cessna 185, N185BT, Whittier, AK, July 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1988, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Whittier, AK
- Coordinates: 60.849822, -148.029434 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8498&lon=-148.0294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4959
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88FA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4959/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88FA083

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED SIX MILE LAKE ON ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE AND WAS DESTINED FOR COGHILL LAKE. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND AT THE 2500 FOOT LEVEL OF A MOUNTAIN ON THE NORTH SIDE OF BURNS GLACIER. THE AIRPLANE HEADING WAS 324 DEGREES. THE HEADING TO GO THROUGH THE PASS OVER BURNS GLACIER IS NORMALLY 104 DEGREES. A VIDEO TAPE FOUND ON BOARD SHOWED THAT THE CLOUDS IN THE VICINITY OF THE GLACIER OBSCURED THE MOUNTAIN TOPS. WEATHER FORECASTS PLACED THE CEILINGS AT 2500 FEET MSL BROKEN TO OVERCAST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N185BT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N185BT-2013-09-12), registration cancelled 2013-09-12, S/N 18503070, 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: 18503070
- Airframe hours: 3401
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elmendorf Aero Club
- Registered owner: Roy S. Caelson, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 1987, 95 hours before
- Departed: SIX MILE LAKE, AK
- Destination: COGHILL LAKE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, military, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,356 total, 41 in this make and model, 3,713 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: 5WT, 4 nm away

## 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 19880704025659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880704025659A), Jul 4, 1988: Cessna A185F, Whittier, AK, Substantial damage, 4 fatal. Impact on glacier on cloud obscured mountain. Indicates level impact during a pitchup. Trying to go through a pass.

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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