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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 1, 1995 · Cessna 185 · N555WK

Talkeetna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 1, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Talkeetna, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 185
Tail Number
N555WK
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC95LA092

THE PILOT STATED THAT AS HE AND FOUR PASSENGERS WERE APPROACHING ANDERSON PASS AT ABOUT 7500' MSL, THEY ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO 'SINK' AND HE TURNED TO REVERSE THE DIRECTION OF FLIGHT AND TO EXIT THE PASS. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO DESCEND, AND THE PILOT APPLIED FULL FLAPS PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A GLACIER, WHILE TRAVELING DOWNHILL. THE WHEEL/SKIS SEPARATED FROM THE LANDING GEAR, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AT ABOUT THE 6500' LEVEL. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING TO BE RESCUED, THE WIND WOULD GUST FROM ALL DIRECTIONS, AND IT WOULD BLOW PIECES OF THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE UPHILL.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE EVALUATION OF THE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION TO ASSURE CLEARANCE FROM MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE UNFAVORABLE/GUSTY WIND CONDITION.

Full Narrative

On June 30, 1995, at 1600 Alaska daylight time, a wheel/ski equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N555WK, registered to and operated by Talkeetna Air Taxi of Talkeetna, Alaska, crashed at the 6,500 foot level of a glacier near Anderson Pass. The on demand air taxi flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 135, departed Talkeetna for a flight around Mt. McKinley. A company flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for class G airspace. The airline transport certificated pilot and the four passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. During a telephone interview with the pilot, he stated that he was approaching Anderson Pass at 7,500 feet with an indicated airspeed of 110 knots. Once near the pass, the airplane encountered turbulence and it began to "sink." The pilot applied full power and began a left turn to reverse direction and exit the pass. The airplane continued to "sink" during the turn. The pilot applied full flaps but the descent did not stop. The airplane crashed on a glacier while traveling downhill. The airplane's skis separated from the landing gear and the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated that while he was awaiting rescue the wind would gust from every direction and would blow pieces of the airplane wreckage uphill. According to the information provided by the pilot on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he did not receive a weather briefing from a Flight Service Station. He stated that the weather on the Talkeetna side of Mt. McKinley was such that the mountain was not visible. He flew to Anderson Pass because the ceilings were higher.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 185
Tail NumberN555WK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 30 kt, gusting 60 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data