# NTSB ANC94LA092: Cessna A185F, N1758R, Anchorage, AK, July 24, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1994, 09:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.209434, -149.890975 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2094&lon=-149.8910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2529
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2529/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA092

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE LANDING FLARE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GLASSY WATER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND HIS FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE ON GLASSY WATER. THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE WATER PREMATURELY IN A FLAT ATTITUDE, SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, AND NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On July 24, 1994, at 0940 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna model A185F airplane, N1758R, registered to and operated by the pilot-in-command, nosed over during landing on Campbell Lake located near the municipality of Anchorage, Alaska. The private certificated pilot and his one passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The pleasure flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed Sand Lake at 0930 and the destination was Campbell Lake.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and there was no flight plan in effect.

On the morning of July 24, 1994, the NTSB investigator-in- charge conducted a telephone interview with the pilot.  The pilot said that he made a westerly approach to the lake with full flaps and normal approach speed.  The flat light condition and calm glassy water affected his depth perception.  The plane contacted the water prematurely in a flat attitude, slued sideways to the right, and nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1758R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1758R-2013-01-31), registration cancelled 2013-01-31, S/N 18502478, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- 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: 18502478
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hulbert, Ward A.
- Registered owner: Hulbert, Ward A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1994, 28 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 700 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Observed at: EEN

## 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 19940724019009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940724019009A), Jul 24, 1994: Cessna A185F, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Premature contact with lake trying to land on glassy water. Nosed over.

## Other investigations on N1758R (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 ANC07LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07LA096), Sep 8, 2007: Cessna 185 (N1758R), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.

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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