# Accident 20230709009169A: Cessna A185F, La Mesa, CA, July 9, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 9, 2023, 15:06 local time
- Place: La Mesa, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.7837° N, 117.0264° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7837&lon=-117.0264&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1839R, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1839R) (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: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 2,600 total, 455 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR23LA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA264) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230709009169A

## Narrative

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

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED MYF DIRECT TO SDM TO PURCHASE FUEL. SIX MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND STOPPED ROTATING.  THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING, AIMING FOR A RESIDENTIAL ROAD. THE AIRCRAFT RIGHT WING STRUCK A HIGH VOLTAGE POWERLINE THAT LEFT AN ARC MARK AND A LARGE HOLE ALONG THE WING LEADING EDGE. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED THE DECENT UNTIL THE RIGHT WINGTIP STRUCK THE GROUND FOLLOWED BY THE LEFT MAIN GEAR. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE ROAD, BROKE THROUGH A CHAIN-LINK FENCE, BROKE BOTH WINGS AT THE WING ROOT DUE TO IMPACT WITH TREES AND NOSEDIVED INTO A 50-FOOT-DEEP RAVINE. THERE WAS NO POST-CRASH FIRE AND NO SIGNS OF FUEL SPILL AROUND THE IMPACT AREA. DURING THE WRECKAGE EXAM AND RECOVERY NO FUEL WAS DETECTED IN THE WINGS EXCEPT FOR RESIDUAL AMOUNT THAT WAS PRESENT.

PRIOR TO ENGINE STOPPAGE THE ESTIMATED USEABLE FUEL ON BOARD WAS ABOUT 2 GALLONS. THAT ESTIMATE IS BASED ON PRIOR FLIGHTS DATA, FUEL RECIEPTS, AND PILOT TESTIMONY.

## 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 WPR23LA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA264), Jul 9, 2023: Cessna A185F (N1839R), La Mesa, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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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