# NTSB SEA83LA180: Cessna 185 Skywagon, N8700Z, Petersburg, AK, August 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1983, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Petersburg, AK
- Coordinates: 57.049488, -132.619888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.0495&lon=-132.6199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39755/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA180

## 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 - water (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A MARSHY AREA AND NOSED OVER AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT DURING TAKEOFF. THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL DURING A RIGHT TURN THE ENGINE SPUTTERED. HE MADE A SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT TO THE THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT TURNED BACK TOWARD THE ARPT AND LANDED IN A MARSHY FIELD CLOSE TO THE RWY. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THINKS THERE WAS WATER IN THE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8700Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8700Z), registered now, S/N 18502896, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185 SKYWAGON (185 SKYWAG)
- 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: 18502896
- Airframe hours: 3379
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1982
- Departed: PSG, PETERSBURG, AK
- Destination: JNU, JUNEAU, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; student; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 302 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SIT, 89 nm away

## 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 19830824056139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830824056139A), Aug 24, 1983: Cessna A185F, Petersburg, AK, Substantial damage. Engine lost power after takeoff and crash occurred during emergency landing.

## Other investigations on N8700Z (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 ANC85LA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA123), Jul 8, 1985: Cessna 185F (N8700Z), Egegik, 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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