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NTSB Report
July 12, 1984 · Cessna A185F · N61509
Ketchikan, AK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 12, 1984
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries), 3 uninjured
Location
Ketchikan, AK
Aircraft
Cessna A185F
Tail Number
N61509
Operator
Aviaton Associates
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA84FA171
THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT HAD SELECTED AN EMPTY TANK. HE THEN SWITCHED TANKS BUT FLOODED THE ENGINE AS A RESULT OF NOT FOLLOWING PROCEDURES IN THE AIRCRAFT MANUAL. UNABLE TO GLIDE TO AN APPROPRIATE LANDING SITE, HE LANDED IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. THE FLOATS COLLIDED WITH HIDDED OBSTRUCTIONS AND THE AIRCRAFTNOSED OVER.
Full Narrative
THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT HAD SELECTED AN EMPTY TANK. HE THEN SWITCHED TANKS BUT FLOODED THE ENGINE AS A RESULT OF NOT FOLLOWING PROCEDURES IN THE AIRCRAFT MANUAL. UNABLE TO GLIDE TO AN APPROPRIATE LANDING SITE, HE LANDED IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. THE FLOATS COLLIDED WITH HIDDED OBSTRUCTIONS AND THE AIRCRAFTNOSED OVER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:55 AKDT
Nearest AirportKetchekan International (4nm S)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna A185F
Tail NumberN61509
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAviaton Associates
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor3
Uninjured3
Total7
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 7 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:59
Weather SourceWFAC