# NTSB CEN21LA406: Cessna A185F, N7574N, Kingsley, IA, September 6, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 6, 2021, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Kingsley, IA · About 5 miles east of Kingsley, IA, near the intersection of Se side of 320th st (County Hwy 66) and Tamarack Ave. - Coordinates: 42.589344, -95.878157 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5893&lon=-95.8782&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103816 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA406 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103816/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103816 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA406 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of an unsecured fuel bladder, which reduced the fuel capacity of the affected tank. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel storage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute: 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that before departing on a cross-country flight, he added 42 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel, which appeared to fill both inboard wing fuel tanks. He calculated a 17-gallon-per-hour fuel burn for the 2 hour and 45-minute flight. While in cruise flight, about 2.5 hours after departure, a total loss of engine power occurred. The pilot was unable to restart the engine, and he executed a forced landing to a corn field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. Postaccident examination revealed that both left and right fuel tanks were intact. The fuel filler necks and collars were removed from both wings for internal inspection of the rubberized, bladder fuel cells. The cell from the left tank exhibited minor wrinkling, but overall was still attached to the cell’s snaps and fittings. When the right cell was examined, it was discovered to be unsecured from the outboard and aft edges with the cell folded and wrinkled inboard to the outboard fuel filler neck. The investigation was unable to determine the extent to which the loose fuel cell bladders would have affected actual fuel quantity and unusable fuel. However, given the lack of malfunctions or anomalies noted during the examination and the lack of fuel present in the gascolator, it is likely that the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 2021, about 1515 central daylight time, a Cessna A185F airplane, N7574N, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Kingsley, Iowa. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, before departure he completed his flight planning, and added 42 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel, which increased the total fuel on board to about 70 gallons, based on both tanks appearing full when he looked in the fuel filler port on the inboard wing fuel tanks. The pilot calculated a 17-gallon-per-hour fuel burn for the 2 hour and 45-minute flight. When the airplane was about 25 miles from his destination, a total loss of engine power occurred. Trouble shooting was unsuccessful, and the pilot executed a forced landing to a corn field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The engine and propeller remained attached to the airframe and were undamaged. A post-accident engine test run took place on November 17, 2021. Before adding fuel to the airplane, the gascolator was examined and found to be absent of any fuel. Fuel was supplied from an external fuel tank into the fuel lines associated with the left wing. The engine started on the first attempt with no hesitations or anomalies noted. The throttle was advanced, and a magneto check was accomplished with a drop of 58 rpm from the left magneto and a 60 rpm drop from the right magneto. Postaccident examination revealed that both left and right fuel tanks were intact. The fuel filler necks and collars were removed from both wings for internal inspection of the rubberized, bladder fuel cells. The cell from the left tank exhibited minor wrinkling, but overall was still attached to the cell’s snaps and fittings. When the right cell was examined, it was discovered to be unsecured from the outboard and aft edges with the cell folded and wrinkled inboard to the outboard fuel filler neck as shown in figure 1. Figure 1: Right Fuel Cell Bladder The airplane was equipped with optional long-range fuel tanks. According to the Cessna 185 Owner’s Manual, the total unusable fuel for an aircraft equipped with long range fuel tanks is 6 gallons. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7574N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7574N), registered now, S/N 18504326, 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-D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-d) (registry code 17236, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18504326 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 3558 - Engines: Continental IO550D13B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 2021 - Departed: ISW, Wisconsin Rapids, WI - Destination: sux, Sioux City, IA - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 22, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 8,340 total, 885 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KCKP, 17 nm away - METAR: KCKP 062015Z AUTO 18010G14KT 140V200 10SM CLR 30/21 A2984 RMK AO2 T02960206 ## 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 20210906015439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210906015439A), Sep 6, 2021: Cessna A185F, Kingsley, IA, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine lost power landed in corn field and flipped over. ## Other investigations on N7574N (2) 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. - [NTSB ERA26FA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA115), Feb 15, 2026: Cessna A185 (N7574N), Everglades City, FL, substantial damage, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing - [NTSB NYC06CA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA065), Jan 29, 2006: Cessna A185F (N7574N), Pembroke, MA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground loop and subsequent impact with trees. A factor was the soft runway as reported by the pilot. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 1, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103816. 6.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13250748&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 599 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13250758&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.pdf - Examination summary (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15072349&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Examination%20Notes-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15072983&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release_Redacted-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.