# NTSB ATL99LA099: Cessna A185F, N881FD, Chapin, SC, May 30, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 30, 1999, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Chapin, SC - Coordinates: 34.160369, -81.339019 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1604&lon=-81.3390&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46400 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46400/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA099 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the collision with a utility wire. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis As the pilot maneuvered for an approach to land on the lake, the airplane lost engine power. Following the loss of engine power, the pilot saw utility lines that crossed the lake, and attempted to avoid the utility lines. The airplane collided with the utility lines, fell into the lake, and sank in 12 feet of water. An examination of the airframe and engine assembly was accomplished. The engine examination included a functional test run. The engine operated normally through all power ranges. The examination of the airframe failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or system failure. ## Factual narrative On May 30, 1999, at 1630, eastern daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N881FD, collided with a utility line and sank in Lake Murray near Chapin, South Carolina. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged; the private pilot received minor injuries and his passenger was not injured. The flight departed Camden, South Carolina, at 1610. According to the pilot, he was enroute to visit a friend who lived on Lake Murray. As the pilot maneuvered for an approach to land on the lake, the airplane lost engine power. The pilot, reportedly, saw the utility lines that crossed the lake and attempted to fly over the utility lines. The airplane collided with the utility lines, fell into the lake, and sank in 12 feet of water. The pilot and his passenger were rescued within minutes by South Carolina State Wild Life personnel patrolling the lake. After the airplane was recovered from the lake, an examination of the airframe and engine assembly was accomplished. The engine examination included a functional test run. During the functional test run, the engine operated normally through all power ranges. The examination of the airframe failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or system failure (see NTSB Materials Laboratory Factual Report). A piece of the aft right wing spar was recovered for fracture analysis. The examination of the spar material disclosed fracture features typical of overload. The pilot reported that he departed with 55 gallons of fuel on board the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N881FD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N881FD), registered now, S/N 18504193, built 1981 (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: 185-04193 - Airframe hours: 3685 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Joseph G. Folsom - Registered owner: Foxtrot Delta Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1998, 134 hours before - Departed: CAMDEN, SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,412 total, 2,016 in this make and model, 2,312 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CAE, 20 nm away ## 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 19990530037149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990530037149A), May 30, 1999: Cessna A185F, Chapin, SC, Substantial damage. (.19) On may 30, 1999, at 1630, eastern daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N881FD, collided with a utility line and sank in lake murray near Chapin, south… 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.