# NTSB MIA85LA119: Cessna 305A, N5291G, Sugar Loaf Key, FL, March 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1985, 13:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Sugar Loaf Key, FL
- Location: 24.6426° N, 81.5115° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sugarloaf Key, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.6426&lon=-81.5115&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31369
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31369/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA119

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,filter - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ENGINE FAILED JUST AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE ACFT LANDED IN A FIELD NORTH OF THE ARPT, COLLIDED WITH TREES AND NOSED OVER. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM SHOWS THAT THE ACFT MICRON FUEL FILTER WAS CONTAMINATED TO THE EXTENT THAT IT CAUSED INSUFFICIENT FUEL FLOW, RESULTING IN THE ENGINE FAILURE AT THE SUSTAINED TAKEOFF POWER SETTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5291G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5291G), registered now, S/N 23413, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A
- Registry model: [Cessna 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (registry code 2074002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23413
- Airframe hours: 1862
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bart F. Spadaro
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1984
- Departed: 7X1, SUGARLOAF KEY, FL
- Airport: 7X1, Sugarload Shores

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 8,071 total, 1,004 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 85 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 19850314041479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850314041479A), Mar 14, 1985: Cessna 305A, Sugar Loaf Key, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit after takeoff. Landed in field, struck tree flipped over. Fuel filter contamination restricted flow.

## Other investigations on N5291G (3)

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 ERA16LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA244), Jul 4, 2016: Cessna 305 (N5291G), Narragansett, RI, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine.
- [NTSB NYC84FHJ02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FHJ02), Aug 24, 1984: Cessna 305A (N5291G), East Moriches, NY, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC82DA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA165), Jul 24, 1982: Cessna 305A (N5291G), Sagaponack, NY, 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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