Cessna A185E N2764J

Summary

On 14 October 2009 at about 22:30 local time, a Cessna A185E registered N2764J, operated by Dan McGregor, was involved in an accident near Healy, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 October 2009 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Healy, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

63.6194, -149.9011

Aircraft

Cessna A185E

Registration

N2764J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Dan McGregor

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

McKinley Park → McKinley Park

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC10FA004

1 person died.

The pilot's decision to maneuver at a low altitude over rising terrain in conditions conducive to turbulence/downdrafts, resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was flying a private wildlife biologist over an area of a national park to observe and track wolves using radio telemetry. The pilot stated that during the initial 2 hours of the flight there was no significant turbulence, only what he characterized as light chop. The pilot indicated that just prior to the accident he flew over a ridge that rose to about 500 to 800 feet above the ground. When the pilot maneuvered the airplane to reverse direction toward the ridge, it encountered turbulence and downdrafts that increased the airplane’s bank angle and pushed it towards the ground, ultimately causing it to strike trees and the ground. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, a warning had been issued to airmen for the possibility of severe or greater turbulence, severe icing, low-level wind shear, and instrument flight conditions in the general area at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.