# NTSB ANC88LA034: Cessna A185E, N1954U, Mcgrath, AK, March 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1988, 11:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Coordinates: 63.610507, -154.779922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6105&lon=-154.7799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4989
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4989/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA034

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD BEGUN HIS DESCENT FOR HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT 20 MILES AWAY WHEN THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE, AND MADE A FORCED LANDING IN DEEP SNOW. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD BEEN AIRBORNE FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND HAD AMPLE FUEL RESERVES WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. NO REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER WAS DETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1954U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1954U), registered now, S/N 18501665, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185E
- 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: 18501665
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack W. Zimmerly
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1987
- Departed: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Destination: MCG, MCGRATH, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,432 total, 153 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCG, 20 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 19880303004409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880303004409A), Mar 3, 1988: Cessna A185E, Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage. Reported engine lost power en route. Struck trees on the forced landing. Cause unknown at report time.

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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