# NTSB SEA88FA140: Cessna 185, N70168, Liscome Bay, AK, July 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1988, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Liscome Bay, AK
- Coordinates: 55.609027, -131.580017 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.6090&lon=-131.5800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40729
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88FA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40729/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88FA140

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE IN A NARROW, TREE-LINED AREA JUST ABOVE A SMALL COVE, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE MANEUVERING, IN PREPARATION FOR A LANDING ON A LAKE. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES IN-FLIGHT WHILE IN AN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE AND THEN STRUCK THE WATER. POOR VISIBILITY DUE TO HEAVY RAIN EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT WAS LIMITED TO VFR AIR TAXI FLIGHTS ONLY. HE HAS NO HISTORY OF RECENT INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TIME OR EXPERIENCE. EXAM OF THE AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS AND POWERPLANT DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70168](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70168-1989-09-14), registration cancelled 1989-09-14, S/N 18502033 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18502033
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D24 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Temsco Airlines
- Registered owner: Temsco Helicopters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 10, 1988, 66 hours before
- Departed: KTN, KETCHIKAN, AK
- Destination: SECURITY COVE, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,227 total, 3,116 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °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 19880730028279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880730028279A), Jul 30, 1988: Cessna A185E, Annette Island, AK, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Indicates aircraft struck trees while trying to land in a cove in hilly terrain. Rain, low clouds and fog in area.

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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