# NTSB ANC98TA062: Cessna 185, N4761Q, Kotzebue, AK, May 29, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: May 29, 1998, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Kotzebue, AK - Coordinates: 67.239578, -161.189468 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2396&lon=-161.1895&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3175 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98TA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3175/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98TA062 ## Probable cause The instructor pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor associated with this accident was a downdraft prior to touchdown. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The first pilot, a certificated flight instructor, was providing flight instruction and recurrent training to the second pilot, a certificated commercial pilot. The first pilot said that two successful landings were accomplished on the same sand bar prior to the accident. On the last approach to the south, and while the second pilot was manipulating the controls, the airplane encountered a downdraft, and landed in a river just short of the intended touchdown point. The airplane came to rest upside down in about 3 feet of water. Both pilots reported that the wind at the time of the accident was about 180 degrees at 10 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 1998, about 1430 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N4761Q, sustained substantial damage while landing on a sand bar, located about 35 miles north of Kotzebue, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area government flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane is registered to the State of Alaska, and operated by the Alaska State Troopers. The first pilot, seated in the right seat, and the second pilot, seated in the left seat, both certificated commercial pilots, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Kotzebue Airport, about 1300. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on June 2, the first pilot, a Fish and Wildlife Protection Officer for the State of Alaska, reported that he was providing flight instruction and recurrent training to the second pilot, a pilot for the Alaska State Troopers. He said that two successful landings were accomplished on the same sand bar prior to the accident. On the last approach to the south, and while the second pilot was manipulating the controls, the airplane encountered a downdraft, and landed in a river just short of the intended touchdown point. The airplane came to rest upside down in about 3 feet of water. Both pilots exited the airplane and waded to shore. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and tail. Both pilots reported that the wind at the time of the accident was about 180 degrees at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4761Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4761Q), registered now, S/N 185-1226, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185 - Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 185-1226 - Airframe hours: 9488 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: State Of Alaska - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1998, 1 hours before - Departed: OTZ, KOTZEBUE, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,230 total, 1,005 in this make and model, 2,192 as pilot in command, 89 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °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 19980529016039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980529016039A), May 29, 1998: Cessna A185E, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The first pilot, a certificated flight instructor, was providing flight instruction and recurrent training to the second pilot, a certificated commercial… ## Other investigations on N4761Q (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 ANC86LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA056), May 13, 1986: Cessna A185E (N4761Q), Tok, 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.