# NTSB ANC89LA052: Cessna 185E, N70122, Alexander Lake, AK, March 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1989, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Alexander Lake, AK
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5172
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5172/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA052

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING, DECISIONS WHICH RESULTED IN EXCEEDING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL AVAILABLE WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel supply - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PILOT INTENDED TO LAND ON THE FROZEN LAKE BEFORE PROCEEDING BACK TO HIS HOME BASE. AS HE APPROACHED THE AREA OF THE FROZEN LAKE THE AIRPLANE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON THE FROZEN LAKE; AFTER ROLLOUT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A SNOWBANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70122](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70122-2020-09-04), registration cancelled 2020-09-04, S/N 18502004, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185E
- 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: 18502004
- Airframe hours: 4073
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles Green
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 1988, 112 hours before
- Departed: STONEY RIVER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 455 in this make and model, 1,945 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 19 °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 19890309003429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890309003429A), Mar 9, 1989: Cessna 185E, Alexander Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on a frozen lake and hit a snowbank after engine quit due to fuel exhaustion.

## Other investigations on N70122 (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 ANC97LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA153), Sep 21, 1997: Cessna 185E (N70122), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to water contaminated fuel, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a…

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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