Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

September 27, 2018 · Cessna A185 F · N70391

Fairbanks, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 27, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fairbanks, AK
Aircraft
Cessna A185 F (1973)
Tail Number
N70391
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC18LA073

The pilot reported that, before departure for the 24-minute roundtrip flight, the airplane was refueled; 25 gallons of useable fuel was on board the airplane. The fuel quantity was confirmed with a custom-made fuel dipstick before departure. After landing at a lake, the pilot departed for the return flight. While in level cruise flight, at an altitude of about 1,000 ft above ground level (agl), the engine lost total power. In an effort to restore power, the pilot switched fuel tanks and activated the fuel boost pump to no avail. He performed an emergency descent to a landing on a small lake, during which the airplane impacted trees, the floats separated from the fuselage, and the airplane came to rest partially submerged with substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Postaccident examination revealed that both left and right fuel tanks were intact; however, the fuel bladders were loose in the tank cavity with wrinkles present. About 2 gallons of fuel were recovered from the fuel tanks. The fuel line between the fuel pump and the fuel control unit was removed, and about 2 tablespoons of fluid that was light blue in color and consistent with 100LL AvGas was recovered. The fuel line between the fuel control unit and fuel manifold was removed, and no fluid was present. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of malfunctions or anomalies. The airplane was equipped with optional long-range fuel tanks. According to the owner's manual, the total unusable fuel for an aircraft equipped with long-range fuel tanks is 6 gallons. The investigation was unable to determine if the loose fuel bladders were a result of the accident or recovery and what impact they would have had on fuel quantity and unusable fuel. However, given the lack of malfunctions or anomalies noted during the engine examination and the lack of fluid present in the fuel lines, it is likely that the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Contributed to outcome

Full Narrative

On September 27, 2018, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna A185F airplane, N70391, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power while in level cruise flight near Fairbanks, Alaska. The airline transport pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 visual flight rules (VFR) flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Chena Marina Airport (AK28), Fairbanks, Alaska for an unknown lake in the Minto Flats near Fairbanks, Alaska with a planned return to AK28. According to the pilot, prior to departure for the 24-minute round trip flight, the airplane was refueled and a total of 25 gallons of useable fuel was on board the airplane. The fuel quantity was confirmed with a custom-made fuel dipstick prior to departure. After landing at an unknown lake in the Minto Flats, the pilot departed for the return leg to AK28. While in level cruise flight, at an altitude of about 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL), the engine lost all power. In an effort to restore power, the pilot switched fuel tanks and activated the fuel boost pump. When power was not restored, he performed an emergency descent to a small lake. During the emergency descent and landing, the airplane impacted trees, the floats separated from the fuselage and the airplane came to rest partially submerged, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed that both left and right fuel tanks were intact and about 35 gallons of fluid was drained from the tanks. Of that 35 gallons, about 2 gallons of fuel was recovered. Examination of the fuel bladders revealed that both left and right bladders were loose in the tank cavity with wrinkles present. The fuel line between the fuel pump and the fuel control unit was removed and about 2 tablespoons of fluid light blue in color consistent with 100LL AvGas was recovered. The fuel line between the fuel control unit and fuel manifold was removed and no fluid was present. The airplane was equipped with optional long-range fuel tanks. According to the Cessna 185 Owner's Manual, the total unusable fuel for an aircraft equipped with long range fuel tanks is 6 gallons. Examination of the Continental IO-520 engine revealed no anomalies, or evidence of malfunction in any of the accessories. The cylinders, piston, valve train and crankshaft, and other internal components were all without evidence of anomaly or malfunction.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A185 F
Tail NumberN70391
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 36 C
Altimeter30.31 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data