# NTSB MKC89FA135: Cessna A185F, N70466, Ely, MN, June 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1989, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Ely, MN
- Coordinates: 47.900951, -91.84909 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9010&lon=-91.8491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34687
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89FA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34687/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA135

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PRESENCE OF TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - wet

## Analysis

A NORMAL PREFLT OF THE FLOAT PLANE WAS MADE WITH ONLY STRAW  OF A BIRD NEST BEING REMOVED BEFORE FLT.   TWO WITNESSES RPRTD THAT THE ACFT'S ENGS SEEMED TO BE RUNNING AT FULL POWER AS THE FLOAT PLANE WAS CLIMBING TO  ALTITUDE  OVER  BIG MOOSE LAKE (WHERE THE OCCUPANTS OF THE ACFT HAD BEEN FISHING).  ONE OF THE PASSENGERS (THE PLT'S 15 YR OLD SON)  SAID THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE POWER & THE PLT REVERSED COURSE IN AN ATMT TO LAND ON THE LAKE. HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE LAKE & THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & SWAMPY TERRAIN DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING.   NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE  OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT OR ENG WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.   AFTER MINOR REPAIRS, THE  ENG  RAN  NORMALLY DURING AN OPNL CHECK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N70466 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18502180
- Airframe hours: 1162
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pucel, Joseph J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1989, 52 hours before
- Departed: ELO, ELY, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 220 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELO

## 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 19890615015699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890615015699A), Jun 15, 1989: Cessna 185F, Ely, MN, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Reported lost partial power after lake takeoff. Turned back and hit trees. Engine ran normal post accident.

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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