Cessna A185E accident near Healy, Alaska, October 14, 2009
On October 14, 2009 at about 10:30 pm local time, a Cessna A185E, registered N2764J, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Healy, Alaska. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 14, 2009 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Healy, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A185E · all A185Es on the register
- Registration
- N2764J · registry record · serial 185-1514
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Turbulence encounter during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Downdraft › Contributed to outcome
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › Terrain induced turbulence › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Downdraft › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Mountainous/hilly terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,400 hours in all; 55 in this make and model; 260 in the last 90 days; 24 in the last 30 days; 4,300 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 30, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,475 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 16, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 3,350 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO 520 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: A06 Mckinley Park AK at 3:00 pm
- Destination: A06 Mckinley Park AK
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 300 ft; ovct at 300 ft
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.48 inHg
- Observation at 5:56 pm from PAIN, 31 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.