# NTSB ANC89LA112: Cessna 185F, N6305E, Dillingham, AK, July 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1989, 18:05 local (Jul 1, 1989, 02:05 UTC)
- Place: Dillingham, AK
- Coordinates: 58.820316, -157.860244 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8203&lon=-157.8602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5215
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5215/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA112

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT & A STRONG DOWNDRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PLT OF A FLOAT PLANE RPRTD THAT HE MADE A LOW PASS OVER A BEACH AT 100' AGL TO CHECK FOR A FUTURE WHEEL LANDING AREA. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT DRG THE LOW PASS THAT EXCEEDED ITS CLIMB CAPABILITY. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT IMPACTED ON THE BEACH AT AN AIRSPEED OF ABOUT 90 KTS & NOSED OVER. THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS OF THE ACFT BELIEVED THAT USE OF THE SHOULDER HARNESSES PROBABLY SAVED THEIR LIVES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6305E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6305E-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N 18504022, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F
- 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: 1850422
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hotchkiss, Lee A.
- Registered owner: Lee A Hotchkiss
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: DLG, DILLINGHAM, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,500 total, 4,200 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 130 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19890701019039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890701019039A), Jul 1, 1989: Cessna 185F, Dillingham, AK, Substantial damage. Flew into a box canyon after departing a lake. Reported a downdraft forced an impact on a beach at 90 mph.

## Other investigations on N6305E (2)

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 CHI83LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA212), May 6, 1983: Cessna A185F (N6305E), Eaton Rapids, MI, substantial damage
- [NTSB ATL81FKJ05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FKJ05), Jan 3, 1981: Cessna 185 (N6305E), Evergreen, AL, destroyed

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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