Cessna 185 N4443R

Summary

On 20 September 1989 at about 11:25 local time, a Cessna 185 registered N4443R was involved in an accident near Mulchatna River, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 September 1989 at 11:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Mulchatna River, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Cessna 185

Registration

N4443R

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Port Alsworth

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

ANC89LA170

Nobody was injured.

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: LOSS OF FUEL THAT HAD SIPHONED (LEAKED) FROM THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE TAKEOFF AND TREE(S) OVERHANGING THE FAST MOVING RIVER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

BEFORE TAKING OFF FROM AN UNNAMED LAKE, THE PLT NOTED FUEL HAD SIPHONED FROM THE FUEL TANKS, BUT HE THOUGHT HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL TO GET TO PORT ALSWORTH, AK. EN ROUTE, THE ENG LOST POWER & A FORCE LANDING WAS MADE ON A SWIFT MOVING RIVER. AFTER LANDING, THE RIVER SWEPT THE FLOATPLANE REARWARED INTO AN OVER HANGING TREE, WHICH CAUSED IT TO NOSE OVER. A PERSON AT THE DEPARTURE POINT STATED THAT JUST PRIOR TO THE FLT, HE SAW FUEL DRIPPING FROM THE WING AND A SLICK ON THE WATER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.