# NTSB NYC89LA181: Cessna 185D, N1526F, Wolfeboro, NH, July 31, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1989, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Wolfeboro, NH
- Location: 43.5936° N, 71.2116° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wolfeboro, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5936&lon=-71.2116&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36451
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36451/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA181

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES & BOATS) 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, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)
  - airport/facilities - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - flare - not attained, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DURING CRUISE FLT, THE ENG POWER DROPPED TO 900 RPM. AS HE APCHD A LAKE TO LAND, THERE WERE BOATS AHEAD & A WOODED AREA TO HIS LEFT, SO HE MANEUVERED TO THE RIGHT TO LAND. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN LEFT FLOAT 1ST & WAS DAMAGED. NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1526F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1526F), registered now, S/N 1850869, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185D
- Registry model: [Cessna 185D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185d) (registry code 2072812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1850869
- Airframe hours: 7241
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Raymond  J. Descheneaux
- Registered owner: Raymond Descheneaux
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1988, 23 hours before
- Departed: LACONIA, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 365 total, 35 in this make and model, 265 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 14 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890731031629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890731031629A), Jul 31, 1989: Cessna 185D, Wolfeboro, NH, Substantial damage. Leveled off too high on water landing and dropped it in on left float. Damage to float wing tip and prop.

## Other investigations on N1526F (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 CEN25LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA153), Apr 7, 2025: Cessna 185 (N1526F), Wausau, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in shifting wind conditions.

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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