# NTSB GAA18CA488: Cessna 185, N62882, Brooks Range, AK, August 12, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 12, 2018, 07:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Brooks Range, AK - Coordinates: 67.239204, -152.270538 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2392&lon=-152.2705&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98069 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA488 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98069/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98069 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA488 ## Probable cause The airplane's encounter with downdraft conditions during takeoff, which resulted in a subsequent loss of altitude and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he took off from an off-airport unimproved, gravel surface. He recalled that the airplane climbed to about 300 ft before it encountered a "severe downdraft." The airplane subsequently descended and impacted a creek bed, and the main landing gear separated from the airframe. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the foremost fuselage bulkhead and stringers. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind at the accident site was from 230° at 25 knots, gusting to 30 knots and that he was landing to the southwest. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he took off from an off-airport unimproved gravel surface. He recalled that the airplane climbed and was airborne for about 300ft before it encountered a "severe downdraft." The airplane impacted a creek bed and the main landing gear separated from the airframe. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the foremost fuselage bulkhead and stringers. The pilot reported that the wind at the accident site was from 230 degrees at 25 knots with gusts to 30 knots, and that he was landing to the southwest. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62882](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62882-2019-02-09), registration cancelled 2019-02-09, S/N 185-0784 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185 (D) - Registry model: [Cessna 185D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185d) (registry code 2072812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 185-0784 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 3162.4 - Engines: Continental IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: None - Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 2017 - Departed: Wasilla, AK - Destination: Brooks Range, AK - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review August 2, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 9,087 total, 550 in this make and model, 7,461 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days - Pilot-rated passenger; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: PAFM, 79 nm away ## 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 20180812010979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180812010979A), Aug 12, 2018: Cessna 185D, Ambler, AK, Substantial damage. On August 12 2018 at approximately 0700 Alaska time, pilot was taking off from a gravel bar next to the nigu river 92 miles northeast of Ambler Alaska. It was… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98069. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472799&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 248 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472800&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF 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.