# NTSB CHI04CA105: Cessna A185E, N185TY, Hastings, MN, April 16, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 16, 2004, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Hastings, MN
- Coordinates: 44.697776, -92.864166
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6978&lon=-92.8642&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Minneapolis, MN, FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA105

## 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

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - not verified, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna A185E
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-1001
- Airframe hours: 8200
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20040416006329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040416006329A), Apr 16, 2004: Cessna A185E, Hastings, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 16, 2004, at Hastings, MN. At approximately 1355 local time gregory morris acted as pilot in command of N185TY, Cessna A185E, s/n 185-1001. One…

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.