# NTSB ANC88LA141: Cessna 185, N73DA, Mcclaren River, AK, September 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1988, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Mcclaren River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5082
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5082/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA141

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE LANDING GEAR STRUCK EITHER A DEPRESSION OR AN OBJECT ON THE RIVERBED/RUNWAY DURING TAKEOFF ROLL AND VEERED LEFT. HE CORRECTED THE DEVIATION AND CONTINUED TAKING OFF. HOWEVER, WHEN THE AIRPLANE REACHED THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP, HE 'PULLED FLAPS AND LIFTED THE AIRPLANE OFF THE GROUND.'  AFTER PASSING THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP, THE AIRPLANE SETTLED ONTO ROUGH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73DA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73DA), registered now, S/N 185-0119 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1850119
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry W. Bulot
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1988, 16 hours before
- Destination: 272, EUREKA, AK
- Airport: Bush Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,620 total, 850 in this make and model, 3,620 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

## 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 19880916041369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880916041369A), Sep 16, 1988: Cessna 185, Mcclaren River, AK, Substantial damage. Slowed by a depression in the short grass strip on takeoff. Settled off end of runway onto ground in rough terrain.

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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