# NTSB BFO91LA067: Cessna A185F, N185JV, Norton, WV, July 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1991, 16:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Norton, WV
- Coordinates: 38.910915, -79.940956 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9109&lon=-79.9410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA067

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT DECISION WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE LOST OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS HEADED TO ELKINS TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED IN WOODED MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.  DURING RECOVERY OF THE AIRPLANE, TWO GALLONS OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE LEFT WING FUEL TANK; THE RIGHT WING FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY.  THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N185JV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N185JV-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 18503213, built 1976 (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: 18503213
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dewey B. Durrett
- Registered owner: Dewey B. Durrett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 2, 1900
- Departed: KINGSVILLE, WV
- Destination: EKN, ELKINS, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EKN, 1 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 19910709026659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910709026659A), Jul 9, 1991: Cessna A185F, Norton, WV, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Crash landed in trees on rich mountain. No useable fuel on board.

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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