Cessna A185F accident near Denali Nat'L Pk, AK
On July 21, 1993, a Cessna A185F (airplane) was involved in an accident near Denali Nat'L Pk, AK. 4 people were seriously injured. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- July 21, 1993
- Place
- Denali Nat'L Pk, AK
- Aircraft
- Cessna A185F · Airplane
- Injuries
- 0 fatal, 4 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 63.779°N, 148.520°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X12737
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 20, 1993, at 2000, Alaska daylight time (ADT) a wheel/ski equipped Cessna A185F airplane, N124KT, operated by James Okonek, d.b.a. K2 Aviation of Talkeetna, Alaska, under 14 CFR Part 135, nonscheduled, experienced a total loss of engine power approximately 3 minutes after takeoff from the 5600 foot elevation of the Ruth Glacier in the Denali National Park. The airplane, with a pilot and 4 passengers, crashed while attempting an emergency landing at the 2800 foot elevation. The flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions on a company VFR flight plan. The airline transport pilot and three passengers were seriously injured, and one passenger received back injuries not requiring hospitalization. The airplane was substantially damaged. Initial notification came during a conference call at 2110 ADT, on July 20, 1993 to the FAA Regional Operations Center (ROC), the NTSB, FAA Flight Standards and the USAF Rescue Coordination Center (RCC), a pilot who identified himself as John Wozencraft, the "senior company pilot," said that he had been on the Ruth Glacier with the accident pilot at approximately 2000 and flown off with other passengers and back to Talkeetna. Mr. Wozencraft said, "I suspect fuel starvation." He said that the accident aircraft was down on the glacier at between 3000 and 3500 feet in elevation and that he had determined that there were injuries among the passengers and that they needed help. He said that he was "real concerned about rescue efforts and that "if help didn't come soon, Brian Okonek said he was going to start
Probable cause
FUEL EXAUSTION DUE TO THE THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: PRESSURE BY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL AND LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN DURING THE FORCED LANDING.
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Browse: Alaska · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
