# NTSB ANC90FA105: Cessna 185, N185KA, Iliamna, AK, July 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1990, 17:30 local (Jul 2, 1990, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Iliamna, AK
- Coordinates: 59.8493, -154.559768 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8493&lon=-154.5598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5299
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90FA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5299/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA105

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURES AND DIRECTIVES (EXCESSIVE FLAPS); FAILURE TO OPERATE THE AIRPLANE WITHIN THE ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT LIMITATIONS; IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM SAFE FLYING SPEED, RESULTING IN A STALL/MUSH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ELECTED TO TAKE OFF FROM A REMOTE LAKE IN GUSTY, TURBULENT WIND CONDITIONS. THE AIRPLANE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 245 POUNDS OVER GROSS ALLOWABLE WEIGHT, AND ONLY FOUR SEATS AND SEAT BELTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE SIX PEOPLE ABOARD. WITNESSES SAID THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS PULLED OFF THE LAKE ABRUPTLY AND CLIMBED AT A STEEP ATTITUDE UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET AGL. THE AIRPLANE THEN STRUCK THE WATER HARD WITH THE RIGHT FLOAT AND TURNED UPSIDE DOWN. RESCUERS INCLUDED A PILOT/PHYSICIAN AND LODGE OWNER WHO PROMPTLY REACHED THE SCENE AND SUCCESSFULLY ADMINISTERED CPR TO AN UNCONSCIOUS AND NOT BREATHING ADULT FEMALE AND MALE JUVENILE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N185KA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N185KA), registered now, S/N 18503932, built 1979 (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: 18503932
- Airframe hours: 2722
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kaylor, Ronald W.
- Registered owner: Kaylor, Ronald W
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1990, 33 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: NONE, Kokhanok Bay

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,900 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °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 19900701022979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900701022979A), Jul 1, 1990: Cessna STC185, Kakhonak, AK, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Over gross weight. After water takeoff,hit water wing low and flipped 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.

---
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.