# NTSB ANC90FA158: Cessna 414, N8180K, Sitka, AK, August 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1990, 12:16 local (20:16 UTC)
- Place: Sitka, AK
- Coordinates: 56.729587, -134.999374 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.7296&lon=-134.9994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5306
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90FA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5306/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA158

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO FOLLOW IFR PROCEDURES AND MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING AND FILED AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN FROM SITKA TO ANCHORAGE, ALASKA.  DURING TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 11 AT SITKA, HE PROVIDED A PIREP TO THE FLIGHT SERVICE STATION, SAYING THAT HE HAD ENTERED THE CLOUD BASES AT 700 FT MSL.  WHILE DEPARTING, A LEFT TURN WAS MADE, AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ON MOUNT VERSTOVIA AT THE 1420 FT LEVEL, APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES EAST OF THE AIRPORT.  AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRPLANE STRUCK WOODED TERRAIN WHILE CLIMBING ON A HEADING OF 359 DEG.  SEVERAL TREE LIMBS HAD BEEN CLEAN CUT (BY THE PROPELLERS); WRECKAGE WAS SPREAD OVER A 516 FT AREA.  A STANDARD INSTRUMENT DEPARTURE (SITKA 5 SID) WAS AVAILABLE WHICH WOULD HAVE PROVIDED TERRAIN CLEARANCE WITH A RIGHT TURN-OUT FROM RUNWAY 11 TO AN INITIAL CLIMB HEADING OF 280 DEG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8180K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8180K-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 414-0080, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414
- Registry model: [Cessna 414](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414) (registry code 2075908) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4140080
- Airframe hours: 2867
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-J 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stewart Clark Sale
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1990, 9 hours before
- Departed: SIT, SITKA, AK
- Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SIT, Sitka, runway 11, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 9 knots
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SIT, 3 nm away

## 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 19900828037039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900828037039A), Aug 28, 1990: Cessna 414, Sitka, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Departed IFR and struck trees on mountainside on climbout. Turn was into mountains instead of turn over ocean.

## Other investigations on N8180K (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 LAX76IL089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76IL089), Jul 24, 1976: Cessna 414 (N8180K), El Toro, CA, incident, minor 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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