# NTSB SEA86FA028: Cessna 335, N2711U, Pendleton, OR, December 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 5, 1985, 19:20 local (Dec 6, 1985, 03:20 UTC)
- Place: Pendleton, OR
- Coordinates: 45.72969, -118.790344 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7297&lon=-118.7903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40260
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40260/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA028

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,cap - leak (cause)
  - fuel system - water (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - gear retraction - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear retraction - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT 500 FT AGL ON DEPARTURE CLIMB, WITH LNDG GEAR UNRETRACTED, PLT FELT VIBRATIONS SIMILAR TO ROUGH-RUNNING ENGINE BUT NOTED NO INSTRUMENT INDICATIONS, THROTTLED BACK AND LEVELED OFF. WHILE TROUBLE-SHOOTING PROBLEM, PLT NOTED ACFT WAS DESCENDING AT 1200 FPM, ADDED PWR BUT VIBRATION INCREASED SO PLT REDUCED PWR, CONCENTRATED ON MAINTAINING 'BLUE-LINE' SPD (105 KNOTS), AND ALLOWED ADFT TO CONTRACT LEVEL SNOW-COVERED TERRAIN IN LEVEL ATTITUDE, GEAR DOWN, FLAPS UP, AT SPEED IN EXCESS OF 105 KNOTS. TEAR-DOWN OF ENGINES AND PROPS REVEALED NO PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. BOTH FUEL SELECTORS WERE FOUND TO CONTAIN WATER. ACFT HAD HISTORY OF WATER IN FUEL SYSTEM. FUEL FILLER GAP INNER 'O' RINGS FOUND TO BE EXCESSIVELY WORN AND NO LONGER SEALING

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2711U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 335
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3350051
- Airframe hours: 918
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E2B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Wallace Floor Covering, Inc., doing business as Aar Western Skyways, Inc.
- Registered owner: Wallace Floor Covering, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 1985, 38 hours before
- Departed: PDT, PENDLETON, OR
- Destination: S22, HERMISTON, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,799 total, 255 in this make and model, 3,435 as pilot in command, 173 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 3 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDT, 2 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 19851205063109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851205063109A), Dec 5, 1985: Cessna 335, Pendleton, OR, Destroyed. Vibration felt on initial climb. Reduced power to minimize vibration. Impacted ground. Water and ice in fuel system.

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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