Cessna C-185-D accident near Anchorage, Alaska, December 19, 1983
On December 19, 1983 at about 2:53 pm local time, a Cessna C-185-D, registered N5886T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Anchorage, Alaska (Merrill Field). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 19, 1983 · about 2:53 pm local time
- Place
- Anchorage, Alaska · Merrill Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna C-185-D
- Registration
- N5886T · no longer on the register · serial 185-0786
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS. THE PLT STATED THAT SMOKE ENTERED THE COCKPIT FROM THE HEAT VENTS. HE THOUGHT THE SMOKE WAS FROM RESIDUAL OIL SPILLED ON THE ENGINE DURING AN OIL CHANGE AND HE PULLED THE ENGINE CUT OFF MISTAKING IT FOR THE CABIN AIR. THE ACFT CRASH LANDED IN A GRAVEL PIT ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM INITIAL POINT OF DEPARTURE. A MAINTENACE INSPECTION DID NOT REVEAL ANY PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,015 hours in all; 2,008 in this make and model; 55 in the last 90 days; 7,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,755 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 1983; 53 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: CDV Cordova AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 6, 4,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 15,000 ft; scat at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 14°F (-10°C), dew point 9°F (-13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:49 am from MRI, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.