# NTSB MIA97LA137: Cessna 185D, N285BG, Wetumpka, AL, April 11, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 11, 1997, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Wetumpka, AL - Coordinates: 32.540016, -86.19915 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5400&lon=-86.1992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38262 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA137 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38262/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA137 ## Probable cause loss of engine power during a go-around for undetermined reason(s). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot extended the landing gear, while approaching to land, but obtained an unsafe gear indication, and made a go-around. After climbing to about 1000 to 1500 feet, the engine lost power. The fuel selector was in the 'both' position, and boost pumps turned on high. The engine responded for a short time, but lost power again. The pilot attempted to land the amphibious airplane on a lake. However, he was unable to reach the lake during the forced landing, and the airplane touched down short in a clearing, then collided with a ditch during the landing roll. Examination of the fuel system revealed fuel in both fuel tanks. An engine run was conducted. The engine started and developed full power. ## Factual narrative On April 11, 1997, about 1015 central daylight time, a Cessna 185D, N285BG, registered to a private owner, crashed during a forced landing following a loss of engine power in the vicinity of Wetumpka, Alabama, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The amphibious airplane received substantial damage and the private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Ware Island, Alabama, about 45 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated to the FAA that when he lowered the landing gear, he received no right side indication, landed, felt the right side of aircraft dip, then applied power and initiated a go-around. On the climb-out, at about 1,000 to 1,500 feet, the engine lost power. The fuel selector was moved to the "both" position and the boost pumps were positioned on high. The engine responded a short time and lost partial power again. He continued to regain full power and was attempting a forced landing to a lake, but collided with a ditch at the base of a dam. Examination of the fuel system revealed about 1 inch of fuel in the left fuel tank. About 3 inches of fuel was collected in a 55-gallon drum from the left fuel vent and about 3 inches of fuel was measured in the right fuel tank. An engine run was conducted on April 18, 1997. The engine started and reached full power without hesitation or other abnormalities. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N285BG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N285BG-1999-06-17), registration cancelled 1999-06-17, S/N 185-0798 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185D - Registry model: [Cessna 185D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185d) (registry code 2072812) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1850798 - Airframe hours: 2279 - Engines: Continental 10520-FCD 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Richard Meyer - Registered owner: Betty Norris - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1996, 11 hours before - Departed: 65A, WARE LAKE, AL - Destination: 08A, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,345 total, 50 in this make and model, 4,245 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 17 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MGM, 20 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 19970411010869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970411010869A), Apr 11, 1997: Cessna 185D, Wetumpka, AL, Substantial damage. Lost power. Amphibious plane landed at airport right gear up. Engine restarted. Went around. Quit again. Out of fuel 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.