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NTSB Report
June 15, 1989 · Cessna A185F · N70466
Ely, MN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 15, 1989
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Ely, MN
Aircraft
Cessna A185F
Tail Number
N70466
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC89FA135
A NORMAL PREFLT OF THE FLOAT PLANE WAS MADE WITH ONLY STRAW OF A BIRD NEST BEING REMOVED BEFORE FLT. TWO WITNESSES RPRTD THAT THE ACFT'S ENGS SEEMED TO BE RUNNING AT FULL POWER AS THE FLOAT PLANE WAS CLIMBING TO ALTITUDE OVER BIG MOOSE LAKE (WHERE THE OCCUPANTS OF THE ACFT HAD BEEN FISHING). ONE OF THE PASSENGERS (THE PLT'S 15 YR OLD SON) SAID THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE POWER & THE PLT REVERSED COURSE IN AN ATMT TO LAND ON THE LAKE. HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE LAKE & THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & SWAMPY TERRAIN DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT OR ENG WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. AFTER MINOR REPAIRS, THE ENG RAN NORMALLY DURING AN OPNL CHECK.
NTSB Probable Cause
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PRESENCE OF TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.
Full Narrative
A NORMAL PREFLT OF THE FLOAT PLANE WAS MADE WITH ONLY STRAW OF A BIRD NEST BEING REMOVED BEFORE FLT. TWO WITNESSES RPRTD THAT THE ACFT'S ENGS SEEMED TO BE RUNNING AT FULL POWER AS THE FLOAT PLANE WAS CLIMBING TO ALTITUDE OVER BIG MOOSE LAKE (WHERE THE OCCUPANTS OF THE ACFT HAD BEEN FISHING). ONE OF THE PASSENGERS (THE PLT'S 15 YR OLD SON) SAID THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE POWER & THE PLT REVERSED COURSE IN AN ATMT TO LAND ON THE LAKE. HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE LAKE & THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & SWAMPY TERRAIN DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT OR ENG WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. AFTER MINOR REPAIRS, THE ENG RAN NORMALLY DURING AN OPNL CHECK.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna A185F
Tail NumberN70466
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:00
Weather SourceWFAC