# NTSB NYC89LA017: Cessna A185F, N185SH, Trumbauersville, PA, October 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1988, 14:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Trumbauersville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.410495, -75.38005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4105&lon=-75.3800&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 June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36326
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36326/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA017

## Probable cause

AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN WHICH THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES AND A SWING SET, FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO DETERMINE THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE OFF POSITION AND TO TURN IT ON PRIOR TO THE POWER LOSS.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF AND ENGINE POWER WAS LOST APPROXIMATELY 200-250 FEET A.G.L. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES AND A SWING SET DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE PILOT ADMITTED THAT HE TOOK WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE 'OFF' POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N185SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N185SH-2011-06-07), registration cancelled 2011-06-07, S/N 18502782, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- 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: 18502782
- Airframe hours: 3133
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-CD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Boyd Machine Co., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 1988, 1 hours before
- Departed: IPS9, QUAKERTOWN, PA
- Airport: Wicker & Wings

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,417 total, 3 in this make and model, 1,863 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °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 19881023048749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881023048749A), Oct 23, 1988: Cessna A185F, Trumbauersville, PA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Struck trees in residential area during forced landing. Fuel in off position on takeoff.

## Other investigations on N185SH (1)

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 ANC78FAA27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78FAA27), Jul 7, 1978: Cessna 185 (N185SH), Unalakleet, AK, 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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