On September 22, 1994, a Cessna A185E (registration CFVZP) operated by Tel Air Services was involved in an aviation accident near Juneau, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: ATTEMPTED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CLOUDS AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane was observed flying below clouds in a valley after takeoff, made climbing left turns, then disappeared into clouds. Wreckage was found on the east side of the valley with tree contact and nose-first impact.
Incident Overview
Shortly after departing, the airplane was observed by witnesses as it flew below the cloud base in a valley. The aircraft then performed a series of climbing left turns, after which it entered the clouds and was no longer visible. The wreckage was subsequently found on the east side of the valley, which featured mountainous terrain.
Wreckage Examination
At the accident site, investigators noted that the airplane had made contact with trees. The damage to the structure was indicative of a nose-first impact with the ground. An extensive inspection of the wreckage was conducted, and no evidence was found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction.
Investigation Findings
The investigation concluded that there was no preexisting mechanical issue that could have led to the accident. The precise cause of the accident could not be determined from the wreckage examination.