# NTSB ANC91LA063: Cessna 185, N4649E, Sterling, AK, May 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1991, 20:00 local (May 25, 1991, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Sterling, AK
- Coordinates: 60.539447, -150.789901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5394&lon=-150.7899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5548
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5548/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA063

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - object - submerged object (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water
- Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) operating
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT AND WITNESSES ON THE RIVERBANK, THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT FLOAT STRUCK AND BECAME LODGED ON A ROCK DURING THE POST LANDING TAXI. WHILE THE PILOT WAS STANDING ON THE FLOAT AND ATTEMPTING TO FREE THE AIRPLANE, HE SLIPPED AND FELL INTO THE TURNING PROPELLER.  THE PILOT, AN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON, LOST THREE FINGERS FROM HIS LEFT HAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4649E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4649E), registered now, S/N 18503830 (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: 18503830
- Airframe hours: 1045
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ross N. Brudenell
- Registered owner: Diane F. Wiktorowski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1991, 9 hours before
- Departed: SOV, SELDOVIA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 756 total, 670 in this make and model, 648 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910524018669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910524018669A), May 24, 1991: Cessna A185F, Sterling, AK, Substantial damage. During water taxi float grounded on rock. Pilot slipped off float trying to free float and fell into idling prop.

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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