Cessna 185F N5485R

Summary

On 9 April 1998 at about 00:55 local time, a Cessna 185F registered N5485R, operated by Alaska Native Health Service, was involved in an accident near Nightmute, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 April 1998 at 00:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Nightmute, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

60.4899, -164.8108

Aircraft

Cessna 185F

Registration

N5485R

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Alaska Native Health Service

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Toksook Bay → Bethel

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC98GA036

2 people died.

The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of aircraft control. Factors in the accident were meteorological conditions consisting of low ceilings, and blowing snow, and the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot departed on a CFR Part 135/government flight for a remote coastal village to pick up the sole passenger. Just before landing at the village, light snow began to fall, and the wind conditions increased to about 20 knots. There was no evidence the pilot obtained a weather briefing. The area forecast included isolated ceilings below 1,000 feet, and visibilities below 3 miles in blowing snow and mist from offshore. The forecast wind conditions included 20 knots to 40 knots from offshore. Airmets were issued for moderate low level turbulence, mountain obscuration, strong surface winds along the coast, and moderate rime icing in clouds. When the airplane departed the village on the accident flight, a resident said the visibility was 1/4 to 1/2 mile in blowing snow. The flight did not reach the destination. The wreckage was located 8 miles away in snow covered terrain after two days of blizzard conditions. The airplane collided with the ground in a near vertical attitude, and exhibited high speed destruction. An examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact malfunction. Evidence of engine combustion, heat, and rotation were noted during the engine examination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.