# NTSB ANC91LA145: Cessna 185, N9974X, Talkeetna, AK, September 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1991, 19:00 local (Sep 5, 1991, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.45029, -149.789825 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4503&lon=-149.7898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5619
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5619/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA145

## Probable cause

WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRPLANE CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DOWNDRAFT AND UNFAVORABLE WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thermal lift (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF AND INITIAL CLIMBOUT, A DOWNDRAFT PUSHED THE AIRPLANE BACK ONTO THE LAKE.  SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A ROCK AT THE END OF THE LAKE AND FLIPPED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9974X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9974X-1994-07-12), registration cancelled 1994-07-12, S/N 1850174 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1850174
- Airframe hours: 4013
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: James K. Bailey
- Registered owner: James K. Bailey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 5, 1990, 160 hours before
- Departed: NONE, STEPHAN LAKE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,693 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 4,693 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 37 °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 19910904039769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910904039769A), Sep 4, 1991: Cessna 185, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Lifted off water in small lake,encountered downdraft. Dropped to lake. Lifted again. Pontoon hit rock. Nosed over.

## Other investigations on N9974X (3)

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 ANC73DAG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC73DAG06), Jul 18, 1972: Cessna 185 (N9974X), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC71FAG58](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC71FAG58), Nov 26, 1970: Cessna 185 (N9974X), Glenallen, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC71DAG59](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC71DAG59), Nov 20, 1970: Cessna 185 (N9974X), Glenallen, AK, substantial 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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