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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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September 15, 1987 · Cessna 185 · N5416R

Mt. Watana, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 15, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Mt. Watana, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 185
Tail Number
N5416R
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC87LA160

AFTER LIFTOFF FROM A LAKE THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN SETTLING TOWARD THE REMAINING LAKE. THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ON THE TUNDRA, 200 YARDS FROM THE LAKE'S EDGE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DRAINED THE FUEL SUMPS ON THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THE DAY AND FOUND WATER, BUT DID NOT DRAIN THE FUEL SUMPS ON SUBSEQUENT FLIGHTS.

Full Narrative

AFTER LIFTOFF FROM A LAKE THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN SETTLING TOWARD THE REMAINING LAKE. THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ON THE TUNDRA, 200 YARDS FROM THE LAKE'S EDGE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DRAINED THE FUEL SUMPS ON THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THE DAY AND FOUND WATER, BUT DID NOT DRAIN THE FUEL SUMPS ON SUBSEQUENT FLIGHTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 185
Tail NumberN5416R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility100 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data