# NTSB ANC91FA107: Cessna 182, N5663B, Takotna, AK, July 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1991, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Takotna, AK
- Location: 62.9887° N, 156.0316° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Takotna, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.9887&lon=-156.0316&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91FA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91FA107

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES WHILE IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE CRASHED AT THE 1,500 FOOT LEVEL OF A MOUNTAIN LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 12 MILES NORTHWEST OF MCGRATH, ALASKA.  OTHER PILOTS IN THE AREA STATED THE WEATHER WAS 1,000 FOOT OVERCAST, WITH 1.5 MILES VISIBILITY IN FOG AND SMOKE.  THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE MOUNTAIN TOPS WERE OBSCURED. THE RIDGE WHICH THE AIRPLANE CROSSED WAS THE LAST RIDGE BETWEEN OPHIR, THE DEPARTURE POINT, AND MCGRATH, THE DESTINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5663B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5663B-1992-06-05), registration cancelled 1992-06-05, S/N 33663 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33663
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John O'Carroll
- Registered owner: John O'Carroll
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: Z17, OPHIR, AK
- Destination: MCG, MCGRATH, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 250 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °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 19910724029769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910724029769A), Jul 24, 1991: Cessna 182, Takotna, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Flew into cloud obscured hill. Low ceiling fog in area. No medical or biennial.

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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