# NTSB ANC89LA170: Cessna 185, N4443R, Mulchatna River, AK, September 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1989, 03:25 local (11:25 UTC)
- Place: Mulchatna River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5265
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5265/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA170

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  LOSS OF FUEL THAT HAD SIPHONED (LEAKED) FROM THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE TAKEOFF AND TREE(S) OVERHANGING THE FAST MOVING RIVER.

## 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 - leak (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, other
  - terrain condition - water
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKING OFF FROM AN UNNAMED LAKE, THE PLT NOTED FUEL HAD SIPHONED FROM THE FUEL TANKS, BUT HE THOUGHT HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL TO GET TO PORT ALSWORTH, AK.  EN ROUTE, THE ENG LOST POWER & A FORCE LANDING WAS MADE ON A SWIFT MOVING RIVER. AFTER LANDING, THE RIVER SWEPT THE FLOATPLANE REARWARED INTO AN OVER HANGING TREE, WHICH CAUSED IT TO NOSE OVER. A PERSON AT THE DEPARTURE POINT STATED THAT JUST PRIOR TO THE FLT, HE SAW FUEL DRIPPING FROM THE WING AND A SLICK ON THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4443R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4443R), registered now, S/N 18502957, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- 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: 18502957
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Livesay
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: PORT ALSWORTH, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 160 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark

## 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 19890920035669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890920035669A), Sep 20, 1989: Cessna A185F, Mulchatna River, AK, Substantial damage. Reported fuel siphoning problem. Believed enough fuel to depart. Engine quit en route. Landed in River. Nosed over.

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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