# NTSB SEA85LA054: Cessna 182-F, N3559Y, Ashland, OR, February 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 5, 1985, 07:32 local (15:32 UTC)
- Place: Ashland, OR
- Coordinates: 42.150283, -122.529731 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1503&lon=-122.5297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40111
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40111/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA054

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spiral - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS BRIEFED REGARDING WEATHER AND EXPECTED FLT CONDITIONS BTW MEDFORD AND REDDING. THE BRIEFING INCLUDED A FORECAST FOR IMPROVING CONDITIONS APPROACHING THE DESTINATION AS WELL AS POSSIBLE ICING EN ROUTE. THE ACFT DEPARTED MEDFORD CARRYING APRX 970 LBS (OCCUPANTS/CARGO) AND 4.5 HRS OF FUEL. (THE ACFT USES APRX 15 GHP.) THE ACFT USEFUL LOAD WEIGHT WAS APRX 1111 POUNDS. DURING THE CLIMB IN INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS THE PILOT REPORTED LOSING ALTITUDE AND POWER AND EXECUTED A COURSE REVERSAL TO RETURN TO MEDFORD. THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A STEEP, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH EITHER THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3559Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182-F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18254459
- Airframe hours: 2780
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: J.R. Goerke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1984, 333 hours before
- Departed: MFR, MEDFORD, OR
- Destination: RDD, REDDING, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,939 total, 1,852 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MFR, 19 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 19850205002289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850205002289A), Feb 5, 1985: Cessna 182F, Ashland, OR, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Aircraft crashed in mountainous area when unable to maintain altitude. Over gross weight and icing were factors.

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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