# Accident 20190803013279A: Cessna A185E, Saginaw, MI, August 3, 2019

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 3, 2019, 10:00 local time
- Place: Saginaw, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 43.4042° N, 83.9800° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4042&lon=-83.9800&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5806J, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5806J-2021-10-05) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna A185E (registry code 2072818, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520 series (registry code 17032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185E
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 4
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,500 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN19LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA249) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190803013279A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON AUGUST 3, 2019, AT APPROXIMATELY 1000 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A CESSNA 185 ON AMPHIBIOUS FLOATS, N5806J, OPERATED BY A PRIVATE PILOT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED, WHEN DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING, CAUGHT A WINGTIP ON A POWER LINE AND LANDED NEAR A ROAD BEFORE COMING TO REST UPSIDE DOWN.  THE AIRCRAFT IS REGISTERED TO THE PILOT AND OPERATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR) PART 91.  DAY VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FOR THE PERSONAL FLIGHT THAT DEPARTED FLINT, MI (FNT) ON ITS WAY TO BEAVER ISLAND, MI (SJX).

WITNESS STATEMENTS CORROBORATE THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT MOVING TO THE NORTHWEST WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT.  THE PILOT STATED THAT ?SOMETHING DIDN?T FEEL RIGHT,? SO HE BEGAN A COURSE REVERSAL TO RETURN TO FNT.  IT WAS AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE "QUIT, STOPPED DEAD."  THE PROPELLER WAS NOT WIND MILLING, SO HE PICKED A LANDING SPOT, ATTEMPTED A RESTART- NO PROP MOVEMENT, LOWERED THE GEAR MANUALLY AND SET UP FOR HIS LANDING.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ?HIT A CERAMIC BALL ON THE POWER LINE? WHICH SPOILED HIS POWER OFF APPROACH TO THE ROAD FOR LANDING.  THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD ON THE FLOATS WHICH CUSHIONED THE IMPACT, HOWEVER IT ALSO CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO BOUNCE, AND COME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN FACING NORTHEAST.  ALL FOUR OCCUPANTS EXITED THE AIRCRAFT WITHOUT ASSISTANCE, HOWEVER, THE PILOT HAD MINOR CUTS AND BRUISES.  ALL OCCUPANTS WERE TAKEN TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL, TREATED AND RELEASED BEFORE THE END OF THE DAY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN19LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA249), Aug 3, 2019: Cessna A185 (N5806J), Saginaw, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly align the crankshaft during an engine reassembly which led to a fatigue failure of the crankshaft and the loss of all engine power.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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