Cessna 182B accident near Nikolai, AK
On March 4, 2013, a Cessna 182B (airplane) was involved in an accident near Nikolai, AK. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- March 4, 2013
- Place
- Nikolai, AK
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182B · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 62.241°N, 153.154°W
- NTSB ID
- 20130305X71252
Official records · ANC13FA027
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn March 4, 2013, about 1117 Alaska standard time, a Cessna 182B airplane, N2343G, sustained substantial damage when it collided with mountainous, snow-covered terrain, about 65 miles southeast of Nikolai, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Merrill Field Airport, Anchorage, Alaska, at approximately 1006, and was bound for Takotna, Alaska, via Rainy Pass. According to a family friend of the pilot, the flight was scheduled to depart Merrill Field at 0900, fly via Rainy Pass to Takotna, drop off two passengers, and return to Merrill Field, where he would transport two more passengers to Takotna later that day. The family group of four had hoped to volunteer for the Iditarod sled dog race. The pilot was feeling rushed due to the late start, and was hoping to complete the round trip without stopping in McGrath for fuel. When the airplane did not return to Merrill Field, a concerned family member notified the Federal Aviation Administration who issued an alert notice (ALNOT) at 1608. After being notified of the overdue airplane, personnel from the 11th Air Force's Rescue Coordination Center initiated a search for the missing airplane along its supposed route of flight. On the morning of March 5, an Air National Guard HH-60G Helicopter located the wrec
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering inside a box canyon and the airplane’s subsequent aerodynamic stall, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s visual disorientation in flat light conditions.
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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.
