# NTSB DEN85LA247: Cessna 182A, N5145D, Troy, MT, September 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1985, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Troy, MT
- Coordinates: 48.32064, -115.359832 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3206&lon=-115.3598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16766
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16766/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA247

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT AS HE APPROACHED HIS DESTINATION HE REDUCED ENGINE PWR TO BEGIN DESCENT. THE ENGINE QUIT FORCING THE PILOT TO LAND ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. CONTAMINATED FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5145D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5145D-2012-08-13), registration cancelled 2012-08-13, S/N 51245, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51245
- Airframe hours: 3380
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert E. Wilson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 1984
- Departed: 65S, BONNERS FERRY, ID
- Destination: TROY, MT
- Airport: U.S. Forest Sod Strip, runway 14, 4,200 × 50 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 411 total, 330 in this make and model, 353 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19850922046799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850922046799A), Sep 22, 1985: Cessna 182A, Troy, MT, Substantial damage. Engine quit during entry to pattern. Landed on railroad tracks. Fuel had foul odor and water present.

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.