# NTSB ANC88LA093: Cessna 185, N93769, Bettles, AK, July 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1988, 20:45 local (Jul 20, 1988, 04:45 UTC)
- Place: Bettles, AK
- Coordinates: 67.240127, -152.270828 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2401&lon=-152.2708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5036
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5036/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA093

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA. THE PILOT STATED THAT BOTH FUEL INDICATORS WERE INDICATING AT OR NEAR EMPTY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93769](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93769), registered now, S/N 18503241, built 1977 (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: 1850341
- Airframe hours: 2330
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D24 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Ketscher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1988, 44 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,837 total, 46 in this make and model, 3,734 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19880719029159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880719029159A), Jul 19, 1988: Cessna 185F, Bettles, AK, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel at a low altitude and crashed into a wooded area.

## Other investigations on N93769 (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 ANC94LA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA059), May 29, 1994: Cessna 185F (N93769), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF.

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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