# NTSB CHI84FA364: Cessna A185F, N61584, Lake Delton, WI, August 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1984, 14:33 local (19:33 UTC)
- Place: Lake Delton, WI
- Location: 43.5920° N, 89.7831° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lake Delton, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5920&lon=-89.7831&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12424
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA364
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12424/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA364

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FLOAT PLANE CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF FROM LAKE DELTON WHILE OF A SIGHT-SEEING FLT. THE ACFT WAS USED DAILY DURING THE TOURIST SEASON ON FLTS OF APRX 15 MIN LONG. THIS WAS THE 8TH OR 9TH FLT OF THE DAY & WAS THE 4TH OR 5TH FLT SINCE REFUELING. A PASSENGER & SVRL WITNESSES ON THE GROUND THOUGHT THAT THE ENG HAD LOST POWER. A POST CRASH EXAM OF THE ENG DID NOT REVEAL ANY SPECIFIC REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER. THE SURVIVORS OF THE CRASH BOTH AGREED THAT THE ACFT WAS OVER LAND WHEN A SHARP LEFT TURN WAS MADE BACK TOWARD THE WATER. DURING THIS TURN, THE ACFT STRUCK TREES & CRASHED APRX 40 FT FROM THE SHORELINE. AN AUTOPSY & TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS OF THE PLT FAILED TO REVEAL ANY INFLIGHT INCAPACITATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61584](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61584-1985-01-28), registration cancelled 1985-01-28, S/N 18504233 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18504233
- Airframe hours: 1277
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Velma And Patrick Medo, Dells
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 6, 1984, 283 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,442 total, 1,233 as pilot in command, 255 in the last 90 days, 122 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN, 34 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 19840826043319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840826043319A), Aug 26, 1984: Cessna A185F, Lake Delton, WI, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Engine lost power after takeoff, turned back towards lake, hit trees. Cause undetermined. Wrinkles in fuel bladders

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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