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NTSB Report
July 6, 1991 · Cessna 185A · N5081H
Valdez, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 6, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Valdez, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 185A
Tail Number
N5081H
Operator
Orca Air
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC91FA090
THE PILOT STATED THAT UPON REACHING THE 20 DEGREE FLAP POSITION IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING, THE AIRPLANE RAPIDLY NOSED DOWN INTO AN ALMOST VERTICAL DIVE. FULL AFT ELEVATOR FAILED TO CHANGE THE PITCH ATTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED AND SANK IN WATER ABOUT 620 FEET DEEP AND WAS NOT RECOVERED. WHILE THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD 'PITCHED DOWN' ON SEVERAL PREVIOUS OCCASIONS WHILE HE WAS FLYING IT, THE OWNER AND THREE OTHER PILOTS WHO HAD FLOWN IT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE FLEW NORMALLY.
NTSB Probable Cause
LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON DURING AN APPROACH TO LAND.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT STATED THAT UPON REACHING THE 20 DEGREE FLAP POSITION IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING, THE AIRPLANE RAPIDLY NOSED DOWN INTO AN ALMOST VERTICAL DIVE. FULL AFT ELEVATOR FAILED TO CHANGE THE PITCH ATTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED AND SANK IN WATER ABOUT 620 FEET DEEP AND WAS NOT RECOVERED. WHILE THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD 'PITCHED DOWN' ON SEVERAL PREVIOUS OCCASIONS WHILE HE WAS FLYING IT, THE OWNER AND THREE OTHER PILOTS WHO HAD FLOWN IT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE FLEW NORMALLY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:35 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 185A
Tail NumberN5081H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorOrca Air
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D-24 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 5500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 50
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:51
Weather SourceWFAC