# NTSB CHI83LA196: Cessna A185F, N533H, Logansport, IN, May 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1983, 19:20 local (May 5, 1983, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Logansport, IN
- Location: 40.7481° N, 86.3547° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Logansport, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7481&lon=-86.3547&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12159
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12159/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA196

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing
  - wheels up landing - initiated, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THE AMPHIBIOUS ACFT, HAD RECEIVED 6.7 HRS DUAL INSTRUCTION & WAS INDORSED FOR SOLO FLT. DURING A X-COUNTRY FROM ELIZABETHTON, TN, HE LANDED AT RICHMOND, KY & PURCHASED 23. 8 GAL OF FUEL. ON THE NEXT LEG TO LAFAYETTE, IN, HE MADE SOME HDG & ALT CHANGES TO AVOID WX. ALSO ON THAT LEG, HE RECALCULATED HIS FUEL CONSUMPTION & ESTIMATED HE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL TO CONTINUE TO WARSAW, IN. AT LAFAYETTE, HE MADE A MINOR REPAIR, THEN TOOK OFF WITHOUT REFUELING. WHILE EN ROUTE TO WARSAW, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT RESTARTED IT, BUT IT RAN ONLY 2 TO 3 SEC, THEN WOULD NOT RESTART. HE BEGAN AN EMERGENCY, WHEELS-UP LANDING IN A WHEAT FIELD, BUT SAW A POWER LINE & DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH SPEEDTO FLY OVER IT. WHILE FLYING UNDER THE WIRES, THE FLOATS HITA BANK & THE PLANE CRASHED. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS. GASKET MATERIAL WAS FOUND IN A FUEL SCREEN, BUT LATER, THE ENG WAS RUN WITH THE MATERIAL IN THE SCREEN & IT RAN NORMALLY. APRX 145 GAL OF FUEL HAD BEEN USED IN 8.2 HRS OF FLT, WHICH INCLUDED MANY LANDINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N533H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N533H-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 18502327, built 1973 (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: 18502327
- Airframe hours: 4569
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Jansen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1983, 8 hours before
- Departed: 3HM, LAFAYETT, IN
- Destination: WARSAW, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 73 total, 10 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830504017149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830504017149A), May 4, 1983: Cessna A185F, Logansport, IN, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit from fuel starvation.

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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