# NTSB ANC07LA096: Cessna 185, N1758R, Anchorage, AK, September 8, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 7, 2007, 16:40 local (Sep 8, 2007, 00:40 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.18, -149.971939 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1800&lon=-149.9719&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-AL-ANC FSDO 03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 66664 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC07LA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66664/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07LA096 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The airline transport pilot was departing a lake in a float-equipped airplane. During the takeoff initial climb, the engine rpm began decreasing, and the manifold pressure was increasing. The airplane attained about 400 feet agl, but did not continue to climb. Emergency engine failure procedures failed to restore power, and the pilot turned sharply to avoid a building. He leveled the airplane just before impact along the shore of the lake. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine found no mechanical malfunction. The engine was placed on an engine test stand where it attained full rated rpm. ## Factual narrative On September 7, 2007, about 1640 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N1758R, sustained substantial damage when it collided with the water and beach of Lake Spenard, during an emergency landing after takeoff from the Lake Hood Seaplane Base, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 8, the pilot reported that during initial climb after takeoff from the southeast waterlane at Lake Hood, he noticed that the engine rpm was decreasing, and the manifold pressure was increasing. The airplane attained about 400 feet agl, but did not continue to climb. He said the airplane began to descend, and he turned toward the east to avoid a building. Emergency engine failure procedures failed to restore power, and the pilot turned sharply and descended toward Lake Spenard, leveling the airplane as it collided with the edge of the lake. During the impact, the floats were crushed upward, and the wings were displaced downward. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine was done on September 10. No mechanical malfunction was observed during the examination. On September 13, the engine was placed on an engine test stand at an Anchorage engine overhaul facility. The engine attained full rated rpm on the test stand. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1758R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1758R-2013-01-31), registration cancelled 2013-01-31, S/N 18502478, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185 - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18502478 - Airframe hours: 1791 - Engines: Continental IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert T. Perkins - Registered owner: Robert T. Perkins - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2007, 10 hours before - Departed: PALH, Anchorage, AK - Airport: PALH, Lake Hood Seaplane Base ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 9,800 total, 35 in this make and model, 9,500 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: PALH ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20070908020899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070908020899A), Sep 8, 2007: Cessna A185F, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On 09/08/2007 at 1600 adt, the pilot, the sole occupant, departed lhd to the east. The pilot stated that at approximately 50 ft. altitude, the engine… ## Other investigations on N1758R (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 ANC94LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA092), Jul 24, 1994: Cessna A185F (N1758R), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE LANDING FLARE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GLASSY WATER. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.