# NTSB NYC86LA026: Cessna 185, N8475Q, Block Island, RI, October 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1985, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Block Island, RI
- Location: 41.1918° N, 71.5745° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Block Island, RI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1918&lon=-71.5745&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA026

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - compensation for wind conditions - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Ditching, landing
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE FLOATPLANE EXPERIENCED A PWR LOSS ABOUT 15 MILES SOUTH OF MARTHA'S VINEYARD VOR. THE ENG MANIFOLD PRESSURE DROPPED AND THE RPM BECAME ERRATIC. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENG USING PRIMARY AND EMERGENCY FUEL PUMPS BUT THE ENG WOULD NOT RESTART. THE PLT CONTACTED SUFFOLK, MARTHA VINEYARD AND BRIDGEPORT TOWERS GIVING HIS LOCATION AND ADVISING THEN OF THE DITCHING. THE ACFT SANK IN THE WATER AND WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8475Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8475Q-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 18503714, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- 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: 18503714
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Grey L. Reigler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1985, 48 hours before
- Departed: FOK, BROOKHAVEN, NY
- Destination: FALMOUTH, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,858 total, 325 in this make and model, 772 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19851023076569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851023076569A), Oct 23, 1985: Cessna 185, Block Island, RI, Substantial damage. Engine quit in flight. Landed with one pontoon on a wave crest. Tipped to one side,cartwheeled. Cause undetermined.

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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