# NTSB LAX93LA065: Cessna 185F, N4742E, Lanai, HI, December 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1992, 15:15 local (Dec 13, 1992, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Lanai, HI
- Coordinates: 20.829488, -156.919738 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.8295&lon=-156.9197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27884
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27884/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA065

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THAT OBSTRUCTIONS WERE HIDDEN IN THE GRASS OF THE LANDING AREA CHOSEN BY THE PILOT FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## 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, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A TRANS PACIFIC FERRY FLIGHT FROM THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES TO INDONESIA. AFTER STOPPING IN HILO, HAWAII, THE PILOT DEPARTED ON AN INTER ISLAND CROSS COUNTRY TO HONOLULU. DURING THE FLIGHT THE PILOT NOTICED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD TEMPERATURES WERE EXCESSIVELY HIGH AND HE FELT A VIBRATION IN THE AIRFRAME. HE DIVERTED TO LANI AND LANDED. WHILE ON THE GROUND HE INSPECTED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND PERFORMED A GROUND RUN UP, WITH NO DISCREPANCIES NOTED. THE PILOT THEN TOOK OFF TO CONTINUE TO HONOLULU. THE ENGINE QUIT COMPLETELY AT ABOUT 200 FEET AGL. THE PILOT MANEUVERED TO A GRASSY AREA NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A BERM HIDDEN IN THE TALL GRASS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR. AFTER REPLACING THE PROP THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND OPERATED FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. ALL PRESSURES AND TEMPERATURES WERE NORMAL. POST RUN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FITTED WITH A 196 GALLON FERRY FUEL TANK SYSTEM INSTALLED IN THE CABIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4742E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4742E), registered now, S/N 18503853 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503853
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Wings Of Hope, Inc.
- Registered owner: Wings Of Hope, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1992, 84 hours before
- Departed: LNY
- Destination: HNL, HONOLULU, HI
- Airport: LNY, Lani, runway 21, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 36,539 total, 500 in this make and model, 35,000 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 18 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °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 19921212049869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921212049869A), Dec 12, 1992: Cessna 185F, Lanai City, HI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landed off airport. No engine or fuel defects. Equipped with ferry tanks in cabin.

## Other investigations on N4742E (4)

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.

- [NTSB CEN23LA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA189), May 16, 2023: Cessna A185f (N4742E), Grand Junction, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with gusting wind.
- [NTSB CEN12CA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA305), May 16, 2012: Cessna A185F (N4742E), Crystal Falls, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's abrupt maneuver to avoid deer that unexpectedly ran into the airplane's path during the landing roll.
- [NTSB ANC88LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA090), Jul 11, 1988: Cessna A185F (N4742E), Georgetown, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN80DTE05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80DTE05), Nov 13, 1979: Cessna 185 (N4742E), Greeley, CO, substantial damage

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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