# NTSB ANC88LA010: Cessna A185, N61376, Karluk, AK, October 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1987, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Karluk, AK
- Location: 57.5719° N, 154.4556° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Karluk, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.5719&lon=-154.4556&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4972
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4972/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA010

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT ARRIVED LATE AND THE TIDE HAD COME IN AT THE BEACH IN KANATAK BAY. BY THE TIME HE COMMENCED HIS TAKEOFF ATTEMPT, THE USABLE AREA HAD DIMINISHED CONSIDERABLY. THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR CAUGHT IN THE SURF AND THE AIRPLANE INVERTED IN THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61376](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61376-1988-04-08), registration cancelled 1988-04-08, S/N 18504164 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18504164
- Airframe hours: 2740
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Armstrong Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 14, 1987, 40 hours before
- Departed: DLG, DILLINGHAM, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast

## 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 19871021060329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871021060329A), Oct 21, 1987: Cessna A185F, Karluk, AK, Substantial damage. Caught a wheel in the surf during a beach takeoff. Aircraft overturned. Incoming tide had narrowed beach area.

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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