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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

January 31, 1989 · Cessna 182 · N3254Y

N. Bonneville, WA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 31, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
N. Bonneville, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 182
Tail Number
N3254Y
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA89LA044

THE PLT PURCHASED THE ACFT AND OBTAINED A FERRY PERMIT (DELINQUENT ANNUAL). AFTER THE FIRST STOP, THE PLT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING THE ENG. THE ENG WOULD START THEN DIE ON THROTTLE APPLICATION. A MECHANIC ADVISED THE PLT THAT THE CARB HEAT WAS IN NEED OF AN OVERHAUL. DURING CRUISE FLT, THE PLT NOTED VISIBLE MOISTURE ON THE WINDSHIELD AND APPLIED CARB HEAT. THE PLT LATER NOTED THE CARB HEAT TEMP 'IN YELLOW' AND ADDED MORE HEAT AFTER WHICH THE ENG QUIT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENG AND THE ENG WOULD FIRE BUT DIE ON THROTTLE APPLICATION. A FORCED LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED ON AN ISLAND. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN 100 FT SHORT AND SANK. DISASSEMBLY AND INSPECTION OF THE CARB SHOWED NO MECH FAILURE OR UNDUE WEAR/TEAR; HOWEVER, INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL IF THE CARB WAS SET WITHIN SPECS.

NTSB Probable Cause

SOME FORM OF CARBURETOR MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PLANNED FORCED LANDING APPROACH BY THE PLT WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE LANDING SHORT OF THE DESIRED LANDING SITE.

Full Narrative

THE PLT PURCHASED THE ACFT AND OBTAINED A FERRY PERMIT (DELINQUENT ANNUAL). AFTER THE FIRST STOP, THE PLT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING THE ENG. THE ENG WOULD START THEN DIE ON THROTTLE APPLICATION. A MECHANIC ADVISED THE PLT THAT THE CARB HEAT WAS IN NEED OF AN OVERHAUL. DURING CRUISE FLT, THE PLT NOTED VISIBLE MOISTURE ON THE WINDSHIELD AND APPLIED CARB HEAT. THE PLT LATER NOTED THE CARB HEAT TEMP 'IN YELLOW' AND ADDED MORE HEAT AFTER WHICH THE ENG QUIT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENG AND THE ENG WOULD FIRE BUT DIE ON THROTTLE APPLICATION. A FORCED LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED ON AN ISLAND. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN 100 FT SHORT AND SANK. DISASSEMBLY AND INSPECTION OF THE CARB SHOWED NO MECH FAILURE OR UNDUE WEAR/TEAR; HOWEVER, INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL IF THE CARB WAS SET WITHIN SPECS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182
Tail NumberN3254Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-L · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 15 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data