You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.
| Date: | Wednesday 23 July 1997 |
| Time: | 14:00 LT |
| Type: |  Cessna 185 |
| Owner/operator: | Hudson Air Service, Inc. |
| Registration: | N9855X |
| MSN: | 1850055 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1961 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 10050 hours |
| Engine model: | Continental IO-520-D |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Talkeetna, AK -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Take off |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Kahiltna Glacer, AK |
| (KTKA) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot made a steep downslope, downwind, departure from a 1,000-foot-long packed snow strip at 9,500 feet msl. The departure path was down a steep canyon. The lighting was flat, with no contrast available to see the snow covered terrain. The airplane impacted rising terrain shortly after takeoff.
Probable Cause: The pilots failure to maintain terrain clearance during the downslope, downwind, high altitude, takeoff. Factors were the snow and lighting conditions, and the tailwind takeoff.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB ANC97LA110
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 4 August 2023 | N9855X | Private | 0 | near Iliamna, AK | |
sub |
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Mar-2024 12:47 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation