# NTSB ANC92LA039: Cessna 185F, N4948Q, Pelican, AK, February 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1992, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Pelican, AK
- Coordinates: 57.949604, -136.109588 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.9496&lon=-136.1096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA039

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT DURING TAKEOFF.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GLARE FROM THE SUN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tower(marked)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, AND WHEN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 FEET ABOVE THE WATER THE FLOAT PLANE COLLIDED WITH A CHANNEL MARKER.  THE PILOT SAID HE DID NOT SEE THE MARKER UNTIL THE IMPACT.  THE PILOT AND WITNESSES SAID THAT THE TAKEOFF WAS MADE DIRECTLY INTO THE SUN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4948Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4948Q), registered now, S/N 18503583, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F
- 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: 18503583
- Airframe hours: 12026
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Bellair, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bellair, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 15, 1992, 20 hours before
- Destination: SIT, SITKA, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: PEC, Pelican Seaplane Base

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, airline transport, flight engineer; 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: 10,796 total, 500 in this make and model, 8,200 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19920219003169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920219003169A), Feb 19, 1992: Cessna A185F, Pelican, AK, Substantial damage. Struck 30 foot channel marker 15 feet above water on climbout. Blamed sun in eyes hid marker.

## Other investigations on N4948Q (1)

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 SEA05LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA081), Apr 8, 2005: Cessna 185F (N4948Q), Medford, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors include variable winds that at times were crosswinds.

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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