This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N61368
- History of Flight:
On May 12, 2026, at about 1044 local time, a Cessna A185F Skywagon, N61368, registered to, and being operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Avon, Maine. The commercial pilot/Maine Game Warden was fatally injured. The public-use flight originated from Dry Pond Seaplane Base (ME80), Gray, Maine, at 0758.
According to Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane climbed to the north after departure from ME80 and landed on the Rangeley Lake at ~0845. The airplane departed the lake at 1033 and proceeded east. At 1042:42, the airplane was at 2,000 ft and 112 knots groundspeed. At 1043:17, the airplane entered a left hand turn while descending to 1,700 ft near a small body of water called the Day Mountain Pond. At 1044:02, the airplane was over the pond at 1,700 ft and 73 knots groundspeed. The last ADS-B data point was recorded at 1044:51, the airplane was at 1,700 ft, 66 knots groundspeed, and -60 feet per minute (fpm) rate.
Game Wardens are usually involved in overseeing natural resources, enforce fish and wildlife laws, and conducting search-rescue operations.
- Pilot Information:
The pilot, aged 50, held a commercial pilot certificate, with a rating for airplane single engine land and sea and an instrument rating. He also held a remote pilot certificate. His second class FAA medical was issued on 9/2025, with a note that he was not valid for any class after 9/30/2026.
- Airplane Information:
The accident aircraft, serial number 18504159, was manufactured in 1980. It was powered by a Continental IO-520D engine.
According to the Pilot Operating Handbook, the stall speed (MPH CAS) with a 0 angle of bank was 65 (flaps up), 58 (flaps 20), 56 (flaps 40).
STALLS.
The stall characteristics are conventional and aural warning is provided by a stall warning horn which sounds between 5 and 10 MPH above the stall in all configurations.
Power-off stall speeds at maximum gross weight and aft c.g. position are presented in figure 6-2 as calibrated airspeeds, since indicated airspeeds are unreliable near the stall.
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
Unknown. The terrain elevation surrounding the accident site ranged from 1,500 ft to 1,700 ft.
- Weather:
The 1035 METAR indicated the following conditions: Winds 300° at 13 knots, gusting 20 knots, 10 miles visibility, a broken cloudlayer at 4,800 ft AGL, an overcast ceiling at 5,500 ft AGL, temperature 6 °C, dewpoint -6 °C, and an altimeter setting of 30.06 inches of mercury.
The 1055 METAR indicated the following conditions: Winds 290° at 13 knots, gusting 25 knots, 10 miles visibility, a broken cloudlayer at 4,800 ft AGL, an overcast ceiling at 5,500 ft AGL, temperature 6 °C, dewpoint -6 °C, and an altimeter setting of 30.06 inches
(1) METARs:
METAR K8B0 121415Z AUTO 30011G17KT 10SM OVC047 06/M05 A3007 RMK AO2
METAR K8B0 121435Z AUTO 30013G20KT 10SM BKN048 OVC055 06/M06 A3006 RMK AO2
METAR K8B0 121455Z AUTO 29013G25KT 10SM BKN048 BKN055 06/M06 A3006 RMK AO2
(2) Area Forecast Discussion:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Gray ME 844 AM EDT Tue May 12 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Frost/Freeze headlines have been cancelled as temperatures quickly rebound into the 40s. OTherwise no changes to today`s forecast. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1. After a cold start, today will be dry with breezy northwest winds. Frost and Freeze headlines may be needed again tonight for portions of the interior. 2. Slow moving low pressure will bring rain Wednesday through Friday resulting in beneficial rainfall. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1 DESCRIPTION... Upper trough swings east of the area early this morning with high pressure building in from the west. Skies will start off mostly clear with cu developing with surface heating through late morning. The NW gradient from the incoming high and mixing to around 800 mb will allow for NW winds to increase late morning into the afternoon with gusts 20 to 25 mph. These NW winds will also inhibit much in the way of a sea breeze allowing coastal areas to be the warm spot with highs near 60 degrees. High temperatures will taper to the north with areas near the Canadian Border having highs restricted to the 40s. High pressure will crest south of the area early tonight allowing for winds to relax. Mostly clear skies combined with near calm winds will allow for efficient radiational cooling from sunset until around midnight tonight. Low pressure moving east through the Great Lakes region will start to spread some cirrus across the area west to east after midnight with clouds thickening and lowering into Wednesday morning. These clouds may put a halt on radiational cooling which may limit the opportunity for frost. The going forecast brings lows into the low to mid 30s for portions of the interior and near freezing into the foothills. Trends in the advancing cloud cover will need to be monitored with the next forecast package to see where Frost and Freeze headlines may be needed. KEY MESSAGE 2 DESCRIPTION... Low pressure will move into New England by Wednesday, and a warm front moves northeastward through the afternoon. Precipitation should be fairly light and widespread, with light and steady rain looking to continue through Thursday morning. Rain becomes more showery on Thursday, but dense clouds will keep conditions fairly socked in and chilly through the day. Rain picks up in intensity Thursday evening as a cold front slowly moves through with a more intense slug of rainfall. Some thunder cannot be ruled out especially across southern NH Thursday night but the steady rain and moist adiabatic environment should inhibit the rain and showers from becoming thunderstorms. While it will be a soggy few days, rainfall amounts should not be impactful. Heavy downpours are not favored, as PWATs are fairly dry for a storm like this in the Spring. Showery weather is likely to continue on Friday as well, with some wraparound rain possible as the aforementioned low moves eastward. && .AVIATION /12Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Through 12Z Wednesday...VFR prevails. WNW winds will increase this morning with gusts 15 to 20 kts by early afternoon. This should keep sea breeze off the coastal terminals. Winds will dissipate this evening. Clouds increase from west to east after 06Z Wednesday while CIGs remain VFR. Outlook: Wednesday: AM VFR, MVFR in the afternoon due to lowering CIGs and rain. Thursday and Friday: MVFR due to low CIGs, showers, and possible isolated thunder. Areas of IFR possible as well, especially in periods of heavier rain. Saturday: Improvement to VFR. && .MARINE... Winds and seas remain below SCA thresholds today through tonight as high pressure builds in from the west and then crests south of the waters tonight. Low pressure approaching form the west will increase southeast winds Wednesday with these winds bringing SCA conditions into Thursday. As low pressure crosses overhead and then exits east Friday winds will diminish and then shift out of the north, with seas continuing to remain at 3-5 ft. && .GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ME...None. NH...None. MARINE...None.
- Additional:
The last fatal loss of a Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife occurred on March 24, 2011, near Ashland, Maine, when a Cessna A185F, N724MT, crashed into a frozen lake after an encounter with localized instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.
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