# NTSB ANC89LA131: Cessna 185, N4005Y, Tozitna River, AK, July 31, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1989, 19:00 local (Jul 31, 1989, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Tozitna River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5232
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5232/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA131

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT.  HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS, UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS, AND TREES WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4005Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4005Y-1989-09-07), registration cancelled 1989-09-07, S/N 1850205 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0205
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wareham, Charles L.
- Registered owner: Wareham, Charles L.
- Destination: Z15, CHUGIAK, AK
- Airport: NONE, runway 12, 900 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,874 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890730026189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890730026189A), Jul 30, 1989: Cessna 185A, Tozitna River, AK, Substantial damage. Unable to clear trees on takeoff from a gravel road and crashed. Pilot misjudged distance and aircraft performance.

## Other investigations on N4005Y (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 MIA69D0269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69D0269), Oct 6, 1968: Cessna 185 (N4005Y), Lawrenceville, GA, substantial damage

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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