# NTSB ANC91LA098: Cessna 185A, N1689Z, Wood River, AK, July 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1991, 18:15 local (Jul 13, 1991, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Wood River, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809059, -147.719482 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8091&lon=-147.7195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5579
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5579/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA098

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.  SOFT SAND IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  SUBSEQUENTLY, AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON A SAND BAR WHERE THE AIRPLANE WENT OVER ON ITS NOSE.  IN A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW, THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE RAN OUT OF FUEL AND HE MISJUDGED HIS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME DURING THIS TRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1689Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1689Z), registered now, S/N 1850489, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185A
- Registry model: [Cessna 185A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185a) (registry code 2072804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1850489
- Airframe hours: 5505
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kevin R. O'Hara
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1991, 43 hours before
- Departed: 284, CLEAR, AK
- Destination: 95Z, NORTH POLE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 320 total, 260 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19910712027199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910712027199A), Jul 12, 1991: Cessna 185A, Wood River, AK, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel. Landed on River sandbar. Struck soft sand and nosed up.

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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