Cessna A185F accident near Juneau, AK
On August 9, 1999, a Cessna A185F (airplane) was involved in an accident near Juneau, AK. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 9, 1999
- Place
- Juneau, AK
- Aircraft
- Cessna A185F · Airplane
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 55.610°N, 131.581°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X19392
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 8, 1999, about 1852 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna A185F airplane, N80229, was destroyed during a collision with mountainous terrain, about three miles south of the Juneau International Airport, Juneau, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated private pilot, and the three passengers aboard, received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the flight's intended destination, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Haines Airport, Haines, Alaska, about 1600, and was en route to Juneau. On August 8, 1999, at 1544, the pilot telephoned the Juneau Flight Service Station (FSS), to get a weather briefing for his flight to Juneau. The flight service station service specialist provided an abbreviated weather briefing, and advised the pilot that VFR flight was not recommend due to reported and forecast low ceilings and visibility. The pilot then filed a VFR flight plan with the specialist. Witnesses reported that while en route to Juneau, the accident airplane landed about 1630 at the Echo Ranch Bible Camp, located 23 miles northwest of Juneau. The flight departed the Bible camp for Juneau about 1819. At 1828:20, the pilot contacted the Juneau Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and reported that he was passing Lena Point, located about 5 miles west of Juneau. According to FAA air traffic control transcripts, the pilot said, "...I've got the uh south tip of Coghlan Island in sig
Probable cause
The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors associated with the accident were mountainous/hilly terrain, low ceilings, the pilot's improper in-flight decision making, and the pilot's impairment from over-the-counter drugs.
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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.
