# NTSB ANC89LA176: Cessna 185, N64399, Trading Bay, AK, September 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1989, 18:30 local (Sep 29, 1989, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Trading Bay, AK
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5271
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5271/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA176

## Probable cause

PILOT IN COMMANDS FAILURE TO PERFORM AN ADEQUATE VISUAL APPROACH RESULTING IN COLLISION WITH A TREE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE 333 HOUR PRIVATE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND HIS CESSNA 185 AT A REMOTE DIRT AIRSTRIP. HE SAID THAT HE WAS ON A SHORT, LOW FINAL APPROACH WHEN THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE WITH THE LEFT WING, CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL. HE SAID HE DID NOT SEE THE TREE UNTIL AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AND THOUGHT INITIALLY HE HAD JUST GOTTEN TOO SLOW AND INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE. HE SAID THAT HE DIDN'T SEE THE TREE BECAUSE NONE OF THE BRANCHES HAD ANY LEAVES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64399](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64399-2013-07-02), registration cancelled 2013-07-02, S/N 185-1262, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- 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: 1851262
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fontenot, Byran
- Registered owner: Fontenot, Bryan J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: NONE, Remote Airstrip, runway 9, 1,000 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 333 total, 156 in this make and model, 333 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 150 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19890928037359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890928037359A), Sep 28, 1989: Cessna A185E, Trading Bay, AK, Substantial damage. Struck a tree and crashed on approach to a unnamed dirt strip.

## Other investigations on N64399 (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 ANC84LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA005), Oct 10, 1983: Cessna C-185E (N64399), Bethel, AK, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.