# NTSB CEN20LA338: Cessna A185F, N5418E, Sugar Land, TX, August 15, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 15, 2020, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Sugar Land, TX - Coordinates: 29.622222, -95.656669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6222&lon=-95.6567&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; Houston FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101801 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA338 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101801/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101801 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA338 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons, and the pilot’s subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## 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); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, shortly after takeoff, the engine lost total power. He stated that the airplane airspeed decayed quickly, and he chose to land in a grass area next to the departure runway. In the final turn toward the grass area, he selected full flaps and tried to slow the airplane, but the airplane stalled, then impacted terrain and skidded about 100 ft before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage, which included damage to the lower fuselage structure. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information. ## Factual narrative On August 15, 2020, about 1150 central daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N5418E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Sugar Land, Texas. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that he performed a takeoff from runway 17 (8,000 ft by 100 ft), at intersection K, from which point there was 6,418 ft of runway remaining. The pilot stated that when he applied full throttle for takeoff, all engine instrument indications were normal. He said the liftoff and initial climb were normal, but when he made a right turn toward the destination airport, the engine lost total power. He stated that the cockpit throttle, mixture, and propeller controls were full forward, and that the airspeed was "decaying fast" after the power loss. He chose a grass area next to runway 17 to land the airplane. In the final turn toward the grass area, he fully extended the wing flaps and tried to slow the airplane as much as possible. He stated that the airplane stalled while trying to cross a small ditch near the grass area, and the airplane then impacted terrain and skidded about 100 ft before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage, which included damage to the lower fuselage structure. The pilot’s safety recommendation was not to perform intersection takeoffs unless it was necessary. Postaccident examination of the airplane by an airframe and powerplant mechanic revealed no obstructions to the engine intake and exhaust systems. The fuel lines were intact and secure with no evidence of leakage. The fuel vent system was unobstructed. The engine cylinders exhibited compression and engine drivetrain and valve train continuity was confirmed. Magneto-to-engine timing was within engine specification, and electrical continuity from the magnetos through the ignition wiring harness was confirmed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5418E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5418E), registered now, S/N 18503968, built 1979 (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: 18503968 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 2264.2 - Engines: Continental IO-550-D13B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Gulf Coast Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 10, 2019 - Departed: SGR, Sugar Land, TX - Destination: TS07, Cypress, TX - Airport: SGR, Sugar Land Regional Airport, runway 17, 8,000 × 100 ft, concrete - Equipment: Onboard weather, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, waiver time limited special; last flight review March 24, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 15,025 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 14,950 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: SGR, 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 20200815013189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200815013189A), Aug 15, 2020: Cessna A185F, Sugarland, TX, Substantial damage. The aircraft was departing the listed airport on runway 17. The PIC requested and was cleared for a climbing right hand turn to the west. The aircraft then… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 2, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101801. 9.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 9.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13172194&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1%20Pilot_Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident_Incident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum - wreckage examination (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13173881&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memoranum%20-%20Beegles-Rel.pdf - Photo log (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 396 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13177149&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Log-Rel.pdf 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.