# NTSB LAX90LA184: Cessna 185F, N1211F, Terra Bella, CA, May 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1990, 14:42 local (21:42 UTC)
- Place: Terra Bella, CA
- Coordinates: 35.960292, -118.919853 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9603&lon=-118.9199&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 September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26810
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26810/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA184

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION WAS POOR. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH VEGETATION FIELD.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - fence
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED THE LAND/SEAPLANE IN THE GRAIN FIELD AFTER EXPERIENCING A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE LANDING WAS UNEVENTFUL. PERSONNEL FROM THE AIRPORT FIXED BASE OPERATOR BROUGHT THE PILOT 10 GALLONS OF GAS WHICH HE PUT INTO THE FUEL TANKS. THE PILOT DEPARTED THE FIELD, BUT THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT AMPHIBIAN SKID STRUCK THE HIGH VEGETATION COVERED BARBED WIRE FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1211F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1211F), registered now, S/N 18502774, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F
- 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: 18502774
- Airframe hours: 1496
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: H & J Sales
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1989, 37 hours before
- Departed: LAKE MEAD, NV
- Destination: PTV, PORTERVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,790 total, 635 in this make and model, 6,790 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 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 19900520016669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900520016669A), May 20, 1990: Cessna 185F, Porterville, CA, Substantial damage. Reported low fuel. Landed in hay field. Refueled and struck a fence on takeoff.

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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