Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions, and improper inflight planning/decision to assure clearance from mountainous terrain. A factor relating to the accident was: the unfavorable/gusty wind condition.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that as he and four passengers were approaching anderson pass at about 7500' msl, they encountered turbulence. The airplane began to 'sink' and he turned to reverse the direction of flight and to exit the pass. The airplane continued to descend, and the pilot applied full flaps prior to impact. The airplane impacted a glacier, while traveling downhill. The wheel/skis separated from the landing gear, and the airplane nosed over at about the 6500' level. The pilot stated that while waiting to be rescued, the wind would gust from all directions, and it would blow pieces of the airplane wreckage uphill.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 30, 1995, at 1600 Alaska daylight time, a wheel/ski equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N555WK, registered to and operated by Talkeetna Air Taxi of Talkeetna, Alaska, crashed at the 6,500 foot level of a glacier near Anderson Pass. The on demand air taxi flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 135, departed Talkeetna for a flight around Mt. McKinley. A company flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for class G airspace. The airline transport certificated pilot and the four passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. During a telephone interview with the pilot, he stated that he was approaching Anderson Pass at 7,500 feet with an indicated airspeed of 110 knots. Once near the pass, the airplane encountered turbulence and it began to "sink." The pilot applied full power and began a left turn to reverse direction and exit the pass. The airplane continued to "sink" during the turn. The pilot applied full flaps but the descent did not stop. The airplane crashed on a glacier while traveling downhill. The airplane's skis separated from the landing gear and the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated that while he was awaiting rescue the wind would gust from every direction and would blow pieces of the airplane wreckage uphill. According to the information provided by the pilot on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he did not receive a weather briefing from a Flight Service Station. He stated that the weather on the Talkeetna side of Mt. McKinley was such that the mountain was not visible. He flew to Anderson Pass because the ceilings were higher. -