# NTSB ANC98LA064: Cessna 185F, N32663, Iliamna, AK, June 5, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 4, 1998, 20:10 local (Jun 5, 1998, 04:10 UTC) - Place: Iliamna, AK - Coordinates: 59.849895, -154.560943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8499&lon=-154.5609&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3150 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3150/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA064 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the hilly terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot stated the airplane was in cruise flight when the engine began to run rough, and lose power. The engine continued to lose power until altitude could no longer be maintained, and the pilot selected a hillside as an emergency landing site. During the emergency landing, the airplane's fuselage sustained substantial damage. On July 1, NTSB personnel performed an engine examination at Wick Air, Inc., Wasilla, Alaska. No preaccident engine anomalies were noted. On September 11, FAA personnel operated the engine on the airframe, and reported that the engine operated normally at idle power. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 1998, about 2010 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185F airplane, N32663, sustained substantial damage during an emergency landing on a hillside, about 40 miles southeast of Iliamna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the King Salmon Airport, King Salmon, Alaska, at 1910. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, on June 5, the pilot reported that while in cruise flight, the engine began to run rough, and lose power. The engine continued to lose power until altitude could no longer be maintained, and the pilot selected a hillside as an emergency landing site. During the emergency landing, the airplane's fuselage sustained substantial damage. In his written statement to the NTSB, the pilot stated that weather conditions at the time of the accident consisted of: Wind, 090 degrees at 45 knots, with peak gusts to 50 knots; visibility, 2 statute miles with rain and fog; clouds, 1,500 feet overcast. On July 1, NTSB personnel performed an engine examination at Wick Air, Inc., Wasilla, Alaska. No preaccident engine anomalies were noted. On September 11, FAA personnel operated the engine on the airframe, and reported that the engine operated normally at idle power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32663](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32663-2012-03-01), registration cancelled 2012-03-01, S/N 18502100, built 1972 (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: 18502100 - Airframe hours: 5300 - Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ceiil & Catharine Shuman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 31, 1998, 50 hours before - Departed: AKN, KING SALMON, AK - Destination: BCV, BIRCHWOOD, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,500 total, 5,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 45 knots, gusting 50 - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °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 19980604015329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980604015329A), Jun 4, 1998: Cessna A185F, Ilimna, AK, Substantial damage. Lost power on maintenance test flight. Crash landed on a hillside. (.4) the certificated commercial pilot stated the airplane was in cruise flight when the… 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.