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NTSB Report
March 20, 1990 · Cessna A185E · N3386L
Alexander Lake, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 20, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Alexander Lake, AK
Aircraft
Cessna A185E
Tail Number
N3386L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC90FA040
THE ENG LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER THE PLT BEGAN A DSCNT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT NIGHT. NO REASON WAS VERIFIED FOR THE LOSS OF POWER, THOUGH THE POSSIBILITY OF ICE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONSIDERED. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 8 DEG & ZERO DEG, RESPECTIVE, WHICH WAS NOT CONDUCIVE FOR CARB ICE. THE ACFT WAS FURTHER DAMAGED AFTER THE ACDNT, WHEN IT STARTED TO SWING WILDLY DURING A HELICOPTER SLING OPN & HAD TO BE RELEASED FROM ABOUT 300 FT AGL.
NTSB Probable Cause
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.
Full Narrative
THE ENG LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER THE PLT BEGAN A DSCNT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT NIGHT. NO REASON WAS VERIFIED FOR THE LOSS OF POWER, THOUGH THE POSSIBILITY OF ICE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONSIDERED. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 8 DEG & ZERO DEG, RESPECTIVE, WHICH WAS NOT CONDUCIVE FOR CARB ICE. THE ACFT WAS FURTHER DAMAGED AFTER THE ACDNT, WHEN IT STARTED TO SWING WILDLY DURING A HELICOPTER SLING OPN & HAD TO BE RELEASED FROM ABOUT 300 FT AGL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 AKST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna A185E
Tail NumberN3386L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind30° @ 6 kt, gusting 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point9 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO