1993-08-14: Cessna 185 — Cape Smythe Air Service — Point Barrow, AK

Casualties unknown • Point Barrow, AK, US

Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S NOT REFUELING. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE OPERATOR/MANAGEMENT INADEQUATE FLIGHT FOLLOWING AND OPERATIONAL CONTROL OVER THE FLIGHT.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

A COMMERCIAL PILOT ON A POSITIONING FLIGHT EXPERIENCED A FUEL EXHAUSTION TOTAL POWER LOSS FOLLOWING AN ABRUPT CLIMB MANEUVER, AND LANDED ON THE TUNDRA. ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM BY FAA INSPECTORS EXAMINATION FOUND NO ANOMALIES. ONLY RESIDUAL FUEL WAS FOUND ON BOARD. WHEN LEVELED, THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY. FUEL SPILLED UNDER VENT WAS AN 18 INCH PUDDLE IN SATURATED TUNDRA. THE PART 135 OPERATOR KEPT NO FUEL RECORDS, OR FLIGHT FOLLOWING RECORDS FOR THE FLIGHT.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-08-14 Cessna 185 accident near Point Barrow, AK?

A COMMERCIAL PILOT ON A POSITIONING FLIGHT EXPERIENCED A FUEL EXHAUSTION TOTAL POWER LOSS FOLLOWING AN ABRUPT CLIMB MANEUVER, AND LANDED ON THE TUNDRA. ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM BY FAA INSPECTORS EXAMINATION FOUND NO ANOMALIES. ONLY RESIDUAL FUEL WAS FOUND ON BOARD. WHEN LEVELED, THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY.…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-08-14 involved a Cessna 185, registration N20752, operated by Cape Smythe Air Service, at Point Barrow, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

FUEL EXHAUSTION AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S NOT REFUELING. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE OPERATOR/MANAGEMENT INADEQUATE FLIGHT FOLLOWING AND OPERATIONAL CONTROL OVER THE FLIGHT.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X13036. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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