# NTSB ANC89FA049: Cessna A-185-F, N1292F, Puntilla Lake, AK, March 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1989, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Puntilla Lake, AK
- Coordinates: 61.930484, -151.729492 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9305&lon=-151.7295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5103
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89FA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5103/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA049

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN AN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, THE TURN TO REVERSE COURSE MANEUVER PERFORMED AT THE REDUCED AIRSPEED AND POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND THE DOWNDRAFT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vlof) - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction

## Analysis

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT BECAME UNSURE OF CLEARING THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. A 180 DEG TURN WAS INITIATED DURING WHICH THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT. PASSENGERS AND WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE MAINTAINED AN UNUSUAL NOSE-HIGH ATTITUDE AND LOW AIRSPEED FROM LIFT-OFF TO JUST BEFORE IMPACT. THE PILOT HAD TAKEN OFF FROM A ROUGH AREA ON THE FROZEN LAKE, DIFFERENT FROM THE USUAL TAKEOFF AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1292F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1292F), registered now, S/N 18502668, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A-185-F
- 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: 18502812
- Airframe hours: 3793
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Jim & Julie Okonek
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 19, 1988, 6 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE, ROHN RIVER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,500 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 9,010 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTI, 5 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 19890306003099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890306003099A), Mar 6, 1989: Cessna A185F, Puntilla Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Long bumpy takeoff run on snow covered frozen lake on skis. Pulled off nose high then stalled making low level turn

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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