# Accident 20210416001449A: Cessna A185F, North Vernon, IN, April 16, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 16, 2021, 20:30 local time
- Place: North Vernon, IN
- Airport: North Vernon
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: KIOJ
- Location: 39.0549° N, 85.5987° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0549&lon=-85.5987&mi=10
- Aircraft: N19D, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N19D) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna A185F (registry code 2072821, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520 series (registry code 17032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor, private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,107 total, 384 in this make and model, 72 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN21LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA194) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210416001449A

## Narrative

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

ON APRIL 16, 2021, AT APPROXIMATELY 2030 EASTERN STANDARD TIME, A CESSNA CE-A185F AIRCRAFT, N19D, LANDED ON A GOLF COURSE IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEPARTING THE NORTH VERNON AIRPORT (KOVO), NORTH VERNON, INDIANA. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS NOT INJURED AND THE AIRCRAFT SUFFERED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS REGISTERED TO ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ AND OPERATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 91.  TWILIGHT VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FOR THE FLIGHT, WITH NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED.

THE AIRCRAFT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^PILOT HAD INSTALLED THE INTERIOR AFTER ASSISTING WITH MAINTENANCE.  DURING A POST-MAINTENANCE ENGINE RUN, WITHOUT THE AIRCRAFT HAVING BEEN RETURNED TO SERVICE, THE PILOT ELECTED TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT AROUND THE PATTERN.  SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT LANDED ON AN ADJACENT GOLF COURSE, COMING TO REST IN A STAND OF PINE TREES.  SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD INCORRECTLY INSTALLED THE FUEL SELECTOR HANDLE AND TOOK OFF WITH THE SELECTOR POINTING TO 'BOTH' (AS REQUIRED BY THE BEFORE TAKEOFF CHECKLIST), WHEN IN ACTUALITY FUEL WAS ONLY BEING DRAWN FROM THE LEFT TANK.  FUEL STARVATION MAY HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR HANDLE.

## 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 CEN21LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA194), Apr 17, 2021: Cessna A185F (N19D), North Vernon, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper installation of the fuel selector handle, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

## Other reports on N19D (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19900826045489I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900826045489I), Aug 26, 1990: Cessna A185F (N19D), Hazelton, PA. Jumpers pilot chute caught on door handle. Door opened and chute deployed. Forced jumper out of aircraft.
- [Incident 19861123069709I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861123069709I), Nov 23, 1986: Cessna A185F (N19D), Hazleton, PA, 1 fatal. Parachutists collided, one chute failed to open, resulting in a fatality.

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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