# NTSB ANC92LA117: Cessna A-185-F, N27532, Anaktuvuk Pass, AK, July 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1992, 19:00 local (Jul 31, 1992, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Anaktuvuk Pass, AK
- Coordinates: 68.150032, -151.710479 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=68.1500&lon=-151.7105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5764
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5764/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA117

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMANDS IMPROPER PLANNING AND DECISION TO COMMENCE A TAKEOFF IN UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER CLIMB RATE, THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOT MISREADING THE WIND INFORMATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - none suitable
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - misread, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER THE AIRPLANE WAS IN POSITION FOR TAKEOFF FROM THE LAKE, THE WIND DIRECTION CHANGED SO THE PILOT REPOSITIONED THE AIRPLANE TO THE OPPOSITE END OF THE LAKE.  THE PILOT SAID THAT THE WIND WAS CHANGING FAIRLY ERRATICALLY.  JUST AFTER GETTING AIRBORNE, AND WHILE STILL OVER THE LAKE, THE AIRPLANE STOPPED CLIMBING THEN COLLIDED WITH THE SHORELINE.  THE PILOT AND PASSENGER SAID THEY THOUGHT THE AIRPLANE STOPPED CLIMBING BECAUSE THE WIND EITHER CHANGED OR STOPPED BLOWING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27532](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27532), registered now, S/N 18503688, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A-185-F
- 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: 18503688
- Airframe hours: 4077
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Wright Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Wright Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 23, 1992, 74 hours before
- Destination: CHANDLER LAKE, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,000 total, 350 in this make and model, 8,807 as pilot in command, 197 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19920730028199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920730028199A), Jul 30, 1992: Cessna A185F, Anaktuvuk Pass, AK, Substantial damage. After water takeoff aircraft settled onto water and hit the lake shore. Pilot reported wind was erratic.

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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