- Date
- April 16, 2004, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place
- Hastings, MN
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N185TYCessna A185E
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 30, 2004
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Minneapolis, MN, FSDO
- FAA report
- 20040416006329A
- Case key
- 59163
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot not verifying the fuel selector valve's position during the preflight leading to the fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power during the flight's initial climb.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The floatplane sustained substantial damage on impact with trees and terrain following a loss of engine power during initial climb from a lake. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The pilot reported that he warmed the engine and taxied around the lake on step before that takeoff. He stated that the fuel valve was in the off position. He said that he put the floatplane between two small rows of pine trees about 20 feet apart. He reported no mechanical malfunctions with the floatplane in reference to that flight.
Factual narrative
On April 16, 2004, about 1400 central daylight time, a Cessna A185E floatplane, sustained substantial damage on impact with trees and terrain following a loss of engine power during initial climb from Lake Isabelle, near Hastings, Minnesota. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot reported that he warmed the engine and taxied around the lake on step before that takeoff. The floatplane lost engine power during the initial climb and the pilot said that he put the floatplane between two small rows of pine trees about 20 feet apart. He reported no mechanical malfunctions with the floatplane in reference to that flight. He stated that the fuel valve was in the off position.
At 1353, the recorded Sky Meadow Airport, near Hastings, Minnesota, was: Wind calm; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 22 degrees C; dew point 3 degrees C; altimeter 29.85 inches of mercury.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N185TY
- Reported as
- Cessna A185E
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 185-1001
- Airframe hours
- 8,200
- Engine
- Continental IO-520-D92, 200 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Gregory Lee Morris
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · June 22, 2003 · 50 hours before
- Departed
- Hastings, MN
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 49
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Single-engine sea
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Last flight review
- March 10, 2004
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 1,277 total · 900 in this make and model · 1,277 as pilot in command · 1 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 73 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.85 inHg
- Observed at
- SGS
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.