# NTSB ANC90LA172: Cessna 185, N4861Q, Talkeetna, AK, September 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1990, 16:32 local (Sep 13, 1990, 00:32 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.449546, -149.790039 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4495&lon=-149.7900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5451
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5451/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA172

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN OR MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL OR 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
  - aircraft control - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - uneven, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFT OFF FROM THE LAKE AT A ALTITUDE OF 200 FEET, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE THEN STALLED AND CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4861Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4861Q-2003-05-28), registration cancelled 2003-05-28, S/N 18503563, built 1978 (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: 18503563
- Airframe hours: 2167
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: James K. Bailey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1990, 247 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 180 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19900912039059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900912039059A), Sep 12, 1990: Cessna 185, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Stalled the float equipped aircraft on climbout from a lake. Crashed into trees. No mechanical cause.

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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