# NTSB SEA85LA229: Cessna 185, N9644H, San Juan Island, WA, September 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1985, 15:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: San Juan Island, WA
- Coordinates: 48.529457, -123.060791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5295&lon=-123.0608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40250
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40250/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA229

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
- Fire, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO DEPART HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP TO THE NORTH WITH TREES BORDERING THE NORTH END OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE WIND WAS FROM 360 AT 20 KNOTS GUSTING TO 30 KNOTS. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST HIS RATE OF SINK AND MADE A RIGHT TURN TO AVOID TREES. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A ROCKPILE SEPARATING THE ENINGE FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND STARTING A SMALL BRUSH FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9644H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9644H-2009-09-22), registration cancelled 2009-09-22, S/N 18503457, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- 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: 18503457
- Airframe hours: 2265
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Great Western Drilling
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 1985
- Departed: SAN JUAN ISL, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 5,250 total, 2,265 in this make and model, 230 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °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 19850927067609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850927067609A), Sep 27, 1985: Cessna A185F, San Juan Island, WA, Substantial damage. Experienced downdraft after liftoff near tree line. Unable to arrest sink rate. Landed in field, struck rock pile.

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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