NEAR TYONEK, AK, USA
N3489Y
CESSNA 185
THE FLOAT EQUIPPED PLANE WAS BEING USED TO TRANSPORT CARGO. A PASSENGER WAS PUT ON THE FLIGHT AT THE LAST MINUTE, BUT THE PILOT BELIEVED THE AIRCRAFT WAS WITHIN ITS MAXIMUM WEIGHT LIMIT. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT REMAINED AT A LOW ALTITUDE FOR A TIME WHILE THE PASSENGER TOOK PICTURES. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PILOT BEGAN CLIMBING TOWARD MERRIL PASS. HE REPORTED THAT AS HE ENTERED THE PASS, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN A 500 FT PER MINUTE RATE OF DESCENT. HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK WHILE IN A BOWL SHAPED AREA, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN IN THE TURN. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE LEVELED THE WINGS AND CRASH LANDED. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 3000 FT. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 60 DEGREES AND THE WIND WAS REPORTED AS LIGHT AND VARIABLE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
