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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

September 14, 1983 · Cessna 185A · N1688Z

Aniak, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 14, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Aniak, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 185A
Tail Number
N1688Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC83LA185

THE PLT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A STRIP NEAR A CAMP SITE. REPORTEDLY, THE STRIP WAS LOCATED ON A HILL (LEVEL BENCH AREA) & WAS ORIENTED GENERALLY IN A NORTH/SOUTH DIRECTION. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 080 DEG AT ABOUT 15 GUSTING 18 KTS. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A ROBERTSON STOL KIT WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE PLT, DIMINISHES ITS X-WIND CAPABILITY. HE REPORTED THAT HE LIFTED OFF NEAR THE END OF THE RWY AT APRX 50 TO 55 MPH, THEN ABOUT 300 FROM THE END, THE ACFT BEGAN TO SETTLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT TOUCHED DOWN ON ROUGH TERRAIN & WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT DUE TO THE TERRAIN, THE WIND (BEYOND THE END OF THE RWY) HAD SHIFTED TO A QUARTERING TAILWIND.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A STRIP NEAR A CAMP SITE. REPORTEDLY, THE STRIP WAS LOCATED ON A HILL (LEVEL BENCH AREA) & WAS ORIENTED GENERALLY IN A NORTH/SOUTH DIRECTION. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 080 DEG AT ABOUT 15 GUSTING 18 KTS. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A ROBERTSON STOL KIT WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE PLT, DIMINISHES ITS X-WIND CAPABILITY. HE REPORTED THAT HE LIFTED OFF NEAR THE END OF THE RWY AT APRX 50 TO 55 MPH, THEN ABOUT 300 FROM THE END, THE ACFT BEGAN TO SETTLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT TOUCHED DOWN ON ROUGH TERRAIN & WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT DUE TO THE TERRAIN, THE WIND (BEYOND THE END OF THE RWY) HAD SHIFTED TO A QUARTERING TAILWIND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 AHDT
Nearest AirportGravel Strip (73nm SE)
Runway0
Runway Length750 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 185A
Tail NumberN1688Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-F · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 15 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data