# NTSB NYC89LA020: Cessna 185, N4023Y, Ebensburg, PA, November 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1988, 23:30 local (Nov 4, 1988, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Ebensburg, PA
- Coordinates: 40.48043, -78.720108 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4804&lon=-78.7201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36329
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36329/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA020

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - contamination (contributing factor)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - stall - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AND CRASHED IN TREES NEAR EBENSBURG, PA. A TEARDOWN INSPECTION REVEALED EXTENSIVE PREIMPACT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE #3 MAIN BEARING HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE INTERRUPTION OF OIL SUPPLY TO THE #4 AND 5 BEARINGS AND FAILURE OF A CONNECTING ROD. APPROX ONE QT OF OIL WAS IN THE CRANKCASE. METAL PARTICLES AND OIL WERE IN THE OIL PUMP. THE FORCED LDNG WAS INPEDDED BY OIL ON THE WINDSHEILD AND SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. THE PLT STALLED THE ACFT WHEN HE NOTED THE AIRPLANE BRUSHING AGAINST TREETOPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4023Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4023Y-1996-10-07), registration cancelled 1996-10-07, S/N 1850223 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1850223
- Airframe hours: 1940
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-F 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jeffery S. Amsler
- Registered owner: Jeffrey S Amsler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 1988, 54 hours before
- Departed: CMH, COLUMBUS, OH
- Destination: UNV, UNIVERSAL PARK, PA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,285 total, 61 in this make and model, 10,055 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19881103049029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881103049029A), Nov 3, 1988: Cessna 185, Ebensburg, PA, Destroyed. Oil cooler began leaking oil on windshield. Engine rod broke due lack of oil. Crash landed at night in tree tops.

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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