# NTSB NYC91LA234: Cessna 185F, N1745R, Sanford, ME, May 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1991, 14:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Sanford, ME
- Location: 43.4392° N, 70.7742° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sanford, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4392&lon=-70.7742&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37010
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37010/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA234

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PROCEDURE BY NOT PLACING THE FUEL SELECTOR ON THE TANK WITH THE MOST FUEL, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND A FORCED LANDING IN TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - starvation (cause)
  - powerplant - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE HAD FILLED THE LEFT FUEL TANK AND ADDED 10 GALLONS TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK FOR A FLIGHT HE ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 1 HOUR AND 50 MINUTES IN DURATION.  ABOUT 40 MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION THE PILOT THOUGHT THE FUEL GAGES WERE READING TOO LOW.  HE DESCENDED, BANKED THE AIRPLANE TO THE LEFT IN AN ATTEMPT TO CHECK FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK. THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT WAS TOO LOW TO RESTART THE ENGINE.  HE ELECTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING INTO TREES.  THE FAA EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE AND FOUND APPROXIMATELY 18 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK AND FOUND THE RIGHT TANK EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1745R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1745R), registered now, S/N 18502465, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F
- 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: 18502465
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-560 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George Grinnall
- Registered owner: James K. Fiske
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: GVE, GREENVILLE, ME
- Destination: NONE, DERRY, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 81; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 1, unknown; flight hours: 7,000 total, 500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

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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