1990-03-20: Cessna A185E — Alexander Lake, AK

Casualties unknown • Alexander Lake, AK, US

Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE ENG LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER THE PLT BEGAN A DSCNT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT NIGHT. NO REASON WAS VERIFIED FOR THE LOSS OF POWER, THOUGH THE POSSIBILITY OF ICE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONSIDERED. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 8 DEG & ZERO DEG, RESPECTIVE, WHICH WAS NOT CONDUCIVE FOR CARB ICE. THE ACFT WAS FURTHER DAMAGED AFTER THE ACDNT, WHEN IT STARTED TO SWING WILDLY DURING A HELICOPTER SLING OPN & HAD TO BE RELEASED FROM ABOUT 300 FT AGL.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1990-03-20 Cessna A185E accident near Alexander Lake, AK?

THE ENG LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER THE PLT BEGAN A DSCNT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT NIGHT. NO REASON WAS VERIFIED FOR THE LOSS OF POWER, THOUGH THE POSSIBILITY OF ICE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONSIDERED. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 8 DEG & ZERO DEG, RESPECTIVE, WHICH WAS NOT…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1990-03-20 involved a Cessna A185E, registration N3386L, at Alexander Lake, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X22641. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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