# NTSB BFO91LA007: Cessna 185, N1555F, Ridgely, MD, October 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1990, 13:28 local (17:28 UTC)
- Place: Ridgely, MD
- Coordinates: 38.940784, -75.88005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9408&lon=-75.8800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11639/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA007

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## 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)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON THE FIRST FLIGHT AFTER ABOUT 2 YRS OF INACTIVITY. A FERRY PERMIT WAS ISSUED FOR THE FLIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, A PRETAKEOFF ENGINE RUNUP WAS PERFORMED AND THE TAKEOFF WAS NORMAL UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED ABOUT 600 FT AGL. THE PLT REPORTED HE HEARD A POP AND MECHANICAL NOISE. THE ENGINE LOST POWER, DECREASING TO ABOUT 50% POWER. THE PLT STATED HE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, SO HE STAYED IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO RETURN FOR LANDING. THE PLT SAID THE ENGINE LOST POWER COMPLETELY AFTER HE TURNED ONTO BASE LEG. AS HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD, THE LANDING GEAR STRUCK A POWER LINE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1555F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1850925
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Armand Soucy
- Registered owner: Armond Soucy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: W28
- Destination: W28, FRIENDLY, MD
- Airport: IN0, Ridgely Pelicans

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,620 total, 144 in this make and model, 1,483 as pilot in command, 78 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 38 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 19901027047169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901027047169A), Oct 27, 1990: Cessna 185D, Ridgely, MD, Destroyed. First flight after 2YRS on ground. Ferry permit. Reported power loss. Hit power line on base. No engine anomalies.

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.

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