Accident Cessna 185A N1689Z, Friday 12 July 1991

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Date:	Friday 12 July 1991
Time:	18:15 LT
Type:	Cessna 185A
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N1689Z
MSN:	1850489
Year of manufacture:	1962
Total airframe hrs:	5505 hours
Engine model:	Continental IO-520-D
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Wood River, AK - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Clear, AK (284)
Destination airport:	North Pole, AK (95Z)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON A SAND BAR WHERE THE AIRPLANE WENT OVER ON ITS NOSE. IN A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW, THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE RAN OUT OF FUEL AND HE MISJUDGED HIS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME DURING THIS TRIP.

Probable Cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. SOFT SAND IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Accident investigation: