# NTSB ANC97FA009: Cessna 185, N93829, Marshall, AK, November 30, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: November 30, 1996, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Marshall, AK - Coordinates: 61.920536, -162.290695 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9205&lon=-162.2907&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2928 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97FA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2928/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97FA009 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The air taxi charter flight departed Bethel for the purpose of conducting a moose count survey between Russian Mission, Alaska, and Marshall, Alaska. The passenger was a wildlife biologist for the State of Alaska. The airplane was scheduled to stop at Emmonak for fuel. The airplane never arrived. It was located where it had crashed near the Yukon River in a steep, nose down attitude, with the nose buried in the ground. The only trees damaged were those directly adjacent to the airplane, depicting a steep, near vertical, crash path profile. The terrain was flat and tree covered, and there were numerous areas on the ground indicating moose had bedded down. Examination of the airplane disclosed the tachometer on the airplane operated 1.6 hours since the airplane's departure from Bethel. No evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies were discovered with the engine, airframe, or flight controls. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 30, 1996, about 1200 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185 airplane, registered to and operated by Hageland Aviation Services of St. Marys, Alaska, crashed near Marshall, Alaska. The airplane, operating under 14 CFR Part 135 for the purpose of conducting a moose survey, departed Bethel, Alaska, at 1027, on a company visual flight rules flight plan. The destination was Emmonak, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated airline transport pilot and the passenger received fatal injuries. The airplane was destroyed. According to Hageland Aviation's Chief Pilot, the accident airplane was chartered by the State of Alaska for the purpose of conducting a moose survey between Russian Mission, Alaska, and Marshall. The passenger was a wildlife biologist for the State of Alaska. The airplane departed Bethel, and was scheduled to stop at Emmonak for fuel. The airplane never arrived. Examination of the airplane showed that the tachometer on the airplane operated 1.6 hours since the airplane's departure from Bethel. The airplane was located near the Yukon River, at geographic coordinates 61 degrees, 37.26 minutes north, and 162 degrees, 00.79 minutes west. The terrain was flat and tree covered, and there were numerous areas on the ground consistent with moose beds. The airplane was located in a near vertical position with the nose buried in the ground. WITNESSES There are no known witnesses to the accident. DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT The airplane was destroyed beyond economical repair. The airplane's instrument panel and forward cockpit section was folded over the rear of the engine. The floor of the cockpit was compressed against the engine. The wings of the airplane remained attached to the cabin roof and the back of the engine aligned with the main spar. The wings were resting vertically on the ground, leading edge down. The main landing gear and wheels remained attached to the fuselage, and both wing struts remained attached to the fuselage and wings. The leading edges of both wings were crushed rearward along the chord line. There was no evidence of pre or post impact fire. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane crashed in a wooded area. The trees were between 50 and 75 feet in height. The terrain was level and was located on a large island/bar on the Yukon River. The area was covered with snow ranging in depth from 3 inches to 3 feet. The airplane came to rest with the engine compartment resting in a crater. The nose of the airplane was pointing 087 degrees. This was determined by the location of the tail in relation to the engine. The major components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site. Flight control continuity was established up to the cockpit floor where the floor was crushed and the cables could no longer be traced. The propeller blade remained attached to the front of the engine and only one blade could be seen. Surrounding the accident site were numerous branches ranging up to 2 inches in diameter that were cut at an angle. The length of the branches varied from 12 inches to 24 inches. Examination of the trees in the area showed that the only trees that showed signs of branch breakage or tree trunk skinning were the three trees directly near the left and right wings of the airplane. TEST AND RESEARCH The engine was removed from the accident site and shipped to Sea Air Incorporated of Anchorage, Alaska, for further inspection. No evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies were noted during the inspection. The engine was badly damaged due to impact. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N93829](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93829-2000-09-20), registration cancelled 2000-09-20, S/N 18503254 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185 - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18503254 - Airframe hours: 10013 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D24N 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Hageland Aviation Services In. - Registered owner: Gussic Ventures - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 13, 1996 - Departed: BET, BETHEL, AK - Destination: ENM, EMMONAK, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 16,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 224 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,700 ft overcast - Temperature: -26 °F, dew point -0 °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 19961130036849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961130036849A), Nov 30, 1996: Cessna A185F, Marshall, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Moose survey flight for state. Impact with ground was vertical in wooded area. Indicates stalled circling area. ## Other investigations on N93829 (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 ANC96LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA033), Mar 13, 1996: Cessna 185 (N93829), Cripple, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. - [NTSB ANC78DAG35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78DAG35), Sep 10, 1977: Cessna A185F (N93829), Cordova, 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. --- 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.