# NTSB ANC23LA080: Cessna A185F, N7558H, Homer, AK, September 18, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 18, 2023, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Homer, AK - Coordinates: 59.643, -151.48466 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.6430&lon=-151.4847&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193097 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193097/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193097 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA080 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot departed on a local sightseeing flight with two passengers. Shortly after takeoff, about treetop height, the engine exhibited a loss of power. The pilot turned on the electric boost pump and power was briefly restored before the engine lost all power. He stated that the propeller was windmilling and that the fuel flow gauge indicated no fuel flow. He performed a forced landing to a marsh, and the airplane came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. An engine examination revealed fuel in the gascolator; fuel system finger screens were free of debris. The fuel from the left and right wing sumps and belly sumps were contaminated with water and debris from being submerged in the marsh. The electrical fuel pump and the engine-driven fuel pump were removed and no anomalies were noted. The engine was manually rotated and internal continuity was confirmed and thumb compression was obtained. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On September 18, 2023, about 1400 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna A185F airplane, N7558H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Homer, Alaska. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 sightseeing flight. The pilot stated that just after takeoff from the water, about treetop height, the engine exhibited a loss of power. He turned on the electric boost pump and engine power was briefly restored before the engine lost all power. He stated that the propeller was windmilling and that the fuel flow gauge indicated no fuel flow. The pilot performed a forced landing to a marsh and the airplane came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The airplane was recovered from the marsh and about 10 to 15 gallons of fuel that remained in the wing tanks were drained. An engine examination revealed fuel in the gascolator and finger screens were free of debris. Fuel from the left and right wing sumps and belly sumps were contaminated with water and debris. The electrical fuel pump was removed and actuated; it pushed fuel through the pump to the engine-driven fuel pump. The engine-driven fuel pump was bench tested and performed within standards. The engine was manually rotated; internal continuity was confirmed and thumb compression was obtained. The magnetos were removed and spark was observed on all leads. The upper spark plugs exhibited normal wear. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7558H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7558H), registered now, S/N 18503394 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F - 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: 18503394 - Airframe hours: 7883 - Engines: Continental IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Adventure Airways - Registered owner: Alaska Bear Safaris LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 14, 2023, 17.5 hours before - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 5BL, Homer-Beluga Lake - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 8,957 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 8,900 as pilot in command, 142 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.52 inHg - Observed at: AHO - METAR: PAHO 182153Z 36006KT 10SM FEW070 14/02 A2952 RMK AO2 SLP996 T01390017 ## 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 20230918015219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230918015219A), Sep 18, 2023: Cessna A185F, Homer, AK, Substantial damage. On the 18th of September 2023, the floatplane departed beluga lake (5BL) at 14:00 LCL time. The pilot was operating the commercial tour under his 91 loa. The… ## Other investigations on N7558H (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC85LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA162), Aug 24, 1985: Cessna 185 (N7558H), Ancorage, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB OAK78DVD28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DVD28), Apr 17, 1978: Cessna 185 (N7558H), Tracy, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 30, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193097. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19178614&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report_redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19183112&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Flukey-Rel.pdf - Engine examination (item 3, PDF, 9 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19180897&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Exam-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 326 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19180716&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA080%20photos-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.