NTSB Factual Report

On July 31, 2018, about 2300 Alaska daylight time, a tail-wheel equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N185KB, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power about 9 miles southwest of White Mountain, Alaska. The private pilot and three passengers were uninjured. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a visual flight rules personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Council Airport (K29), Council, Alaska, about 2245 Alaska daylight time, and was destined for Nome Airport (PAOM), Nome, Alaska.

During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that earlier that day, about 1800, he flew with his pilot rated friend, 11 and 14-year-old sons, and small family dog from PAOM to K29 to visit family. The accident occurred during the return flight to Nome. The pilot stated that they took off from K29 about 2245 and proceeded to the coast to avoid rising inland terrain with a cloud base of about 1,500 feet. According to a statement by the pilot rated passenger in the front seat, while maneuvering to the southwest toward the coast, the pilot demonstrated an "up down" maneuver for his sons in the rear seats. He accelerated the airplane and gently pulled and pushed the nose over so that they could feel momentary weightlessness. According to the pilot, about one minute later, he noticed that the propeller RPM had reduced from 2300 to 1920 RPM. The pilot rolled the prop control lever forward but there was no response. He then pushed the throttle and mixture controls full forward with no corresponding response. He activated the auxiliary fuel pump switch, however; the engine power did not return. Soon thereafter, the pilot told the passengers to buckle up and he made a normal full flap landing on the tundra to the southeast. The passenger stated that the landing appeared normal, but then she was surprised when the airplane flipped over onto its back.

During the forced landing and subsequent nose over, the left wing, vertical stabilizer and bottom fuselage were substantially damaged. The occupants egressed normally, and no injuries were sustained. The pilot called a family member on his mobile phone, however; diminishing visibility prevented rescue that night. The occupants were able to shelter inside the airplane for the night with one sleeping bag and some survival equipment. A Bering Air helicopter rescued the occupants about 0900 the following morning.

The airplane was recovered and secured for further investigation.

The airplane is equipped with a Continental Motors IO-520 series engine.

The pilot and passenger each stated they regretted not having more sleeping bags, rain gear and a hand-held aviation VHF radio on board.