# NTSB IAD97LA093: Cessna A185F, N39CC, Charlton, MA, June 28, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 28, 1997, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Charlton, MA - Location: 42.1356° N, 71.9701° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Charlton, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1356&lon=-71.9701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 27, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28209 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28209/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA093 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.. ## 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 - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - swampy ## Analysis According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff about 400 feet AGL, the engine lost power. Despite his efforts of switching the electric fuel boost pump on, he was unable to restart the engine, and a forced landing was performed to a swampy, wooded area. The airplane had accumulated over 2225 hours of flight time including 4 hours since the annual inspection that was completed 4 days prior to the accident. At the inspection, the engine was replaced with a zero time factory rebuilt engine. The left main fuel tank, electric fuel boost pump, and the fuel collector drain were also replaced. According to the FAA, during the postaccident engine test run, the engine driven fuel pump operated satisfactory. When full power was added, and the electric fuel boost pump was turned on, the engine operated satisfactory ## Factual narrative On June 28, 1997, at 1700 eastern daylight time, N39CC, a Cessna A185F, was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground during a forced landing near Charlton, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot received minor injures. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight had originated earlier at Northampton, Massachusetts, at 1400. According to the pilot, "I departed Northampton...flew to Keene, New Hampshire where I picked up fuel about 38 gallons. I departed Keene approx. [1530] flew locally for about 1 hour and then headed south to Southbridge airport about a half hour flight. I departed northbound at about [1700], run-up was normal, outside temp was 91 [degrees fahrenheit], takeoff was normal, and when I reached between 300 - 400 feet the engine started to lose power. I looked for a safe area to land but could see only trees ahead. I engaged the high side of the fuel emergency and it did not operate. I then engaged the low side, the engine responded for about two seconds and then reverted back to the partial power situation. I saw high tension lines ahead and could not avoid striking a wire...I then continued on and struck trees where a tree came in contact with my left wing and spun me around ...I landed in a swamp at about a 45 degree angle. I had approximately 42 gallons of [fuel] when the accident occurred." The airplane was examined at the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector. The examination revealed that the electric fuel boost pump switch had a wire disconnected from the switch assembly. Further examination revealed the firewall mounted resistor which controlled the boost pump speed was severely corroded with the result being low boost pump operation normal, and high boost pump operation intermittent. In the high position, the boost pump operated satisfactory when the engine was test run. However, when the engine was not operating the boost pump would only operate if finger pressure was placed on the terminal. According to the FAA, during the engine test run, the engine driven fuel pump operated satisfactory. When full power was added, and the electric fuel boost pump was turned on, the engine operated satisfactory. However, when the throttle was reduced to about 1800 RPM, the engine started to lose power, and the engine was flooded. The airplane had accumulated over 2,225 hours of total time including 4 hours since the annual inspection was completed on June 24, 1997. At the annual inspection, the engine was replaced with a zero time factory rebuilt engine. The left main fuel tank, electric fuel boost pump and the fuel collector tank drain were also replaced at the inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39CC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39CC), registered now, S/N 18502858, built 1975 (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: 18502858 - Airframe hours: 2225 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert W Jeffway - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1997, 4 hours before - Departed: EEN, KEENE, NH - Destination: 3B0, SOUTHBRIDGE, MA - Airport: 3B0, Southbridge ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 850 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ORH, 15 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 19970628016199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970628016199A), Jun 28, 1997: Cessna A185F, Southbridge, MA, Substantial damage. On departure lost engine power, hit power line and trees, crashed in field.(.4) on June 28, 1997, at 1700 eastern daylight time, N39CC, a Cessna A185F, was… 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.