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NTSB Report
March 6, 1989 · Cessna A-185-F · N1292F
Puntilla Lake, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 6, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Puntilla Lake, AK
Aircraft
Cessna A-185-F
Tail Number
N1292F
Operator
K-2 Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC89FA049
IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT BECAME UNSURE OF CLEARING THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. A 180 DEG TURN WAS INITIATED DURING WHICH THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT. PASSENGERS AND WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE MAINTAINED AN UNUSUAL NOSE-HIGH ATTITUDE AND LOW AIRSPEED FROM LIFT-OFF TO JUST BEFORE IMPACT. THE PILOT HAD TAKEN OFF FROM A ROUGH AREA ON THE FROZEN LAKE, DIFFERENT FROM THE USUAL TAKEOFF AREA.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN AN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, THE TURN TO REVERSE COURSE MANEUVER PERFORMED AT THE REDUCED AIRSPEED AND POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND THE DOWNDRAFT CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT BECAME UNSURE OF CLEARING THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. A 180 DEG TURN WAS INITIATED DURING WHICH THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT. PASSENGERS AND WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE MAINTAINED AN UNUSUAL NOSE-HIGH ATTITUDE AND LOW AIRSPEED FROM LIFT-OFF TO JUST BEFORE IMPACT. THE PILOT HAD TAKEN OFF FROM A ROUGH AREA ON THE FROZEN LAKE, DIFFERENT FROM THE USUAL TAKEOFF AREA.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:30 AKST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna A-185-F
Tail NumberN1292F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorK-2 Aviation
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 57 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 10 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 10 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:55
Weather SourceWFAC