# NTSB ANC92FA141: Cessna 185, N9829X, Whittier, AK, August 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1992, 18:55 local (Aug 23, 1992, 02:55 UTC)
- Place: Whittier, AK
- Coordinates: 60.849445, -148.030746 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8494&lon=-148.0307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5647
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92FA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5647/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92FA141

## Probable cause

PILOT IN COMMAND'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.  FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S DISREGARD FOR ADVERSE WEATHER ADVISORY, WEATHER CONDITIONS (CLOUDS) AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - hazardous weather advisory - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

PILOT FILED VFR FLIGHT PLAN FOR FLIGHT TO REMOTE STRIP EASTBOUND VIA WHITTIER/PORTAGE PASS.  APPROX 6 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF AIRCRAFT IMPACTED AT 700 FT LEVEL OF PASS IN LEVEL FLIGHT.  FSS BRIEFINGS DURING PRECEEDING 6 HRS INCLUDED ADVISORIES OF IMC WEATHER IN MOUNTAIN PASSES, W/PORTAGE PASS CLOSED.  TRACK OF AIRCRAFT INDICATED AIRCRAFT WAS SKIRTING LEFT SIDE OF PASS.  LEFT WINGTIP STRUCK VERTICAL WALL ON HEADING APPROX 60 DEGREES LEFT OF PASS CENTERLINE.  WEATHER OBSERVED AS 200 FT OBSCURED AND 1 AND 1/2 MILE VISIBILITY, WITH RAIN AND FOG.  WITNESSES 700 FT BELOW SITE HEARD BUT COULD NOT SEE IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9829X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9829X-2007-09-18), registration cancelled 2007-09-18, S/N 185-0029, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-0029
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James R. Wirth
- Registered owner: James R. Wirth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: AQY, GIRDWOOD, AK
- Destination: SOFTUK STRIP, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 11,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 5WT, 1 nm away

## 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 19920822032619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920822032619A), Aug 22, 1992: Cessna 185, Whittier, AK, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Impacted side of mountain in level flight. Pilot on VFR flight plan was operating in IFR weather.

## Other investigations on N9829X (2)

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 SEA75DYC45](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA75DYC45), Jun 29, 1975: Cessna 185 (N9829X), Dallesport, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN69D0024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN69D0024), May 1, 1968: Cessna 185 (N9829X), Usaf Academy, CO, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.