# NTSB SEA86LA241: Cessna 185, N2262T, St. John, WA, September 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1986, 17:00 local (Sep 7, 1986, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: St. John, WA
- Location: 47.0915° N, 117.5887° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of St. John, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0915&lon=-117.5887&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40497
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40497/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA241

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER RUNNING A FUEL TANK DRY IN FLIGHT, THE PLT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS BUT FAILED TO ASSURE THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE DETENT. THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN ROUGH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2262T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2262T), registered now, S/N 185-1420, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-1420
- Airframe hours: 1089
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Schroetlin Brothers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1986
- Departed: GARFIELD, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 966 total, 797 in this make and model, 938 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19860906044759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860906044759A), Sep 6, 1986: Cessna A185E, St John, WA, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel starvation. The pilot failed to ensure fuel selector was in the proper position.

## Other investigations on N2262T (2)

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 GAA17CA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA310), May 27, 2017: Cessna A185 (N2262T), Fall River Mills, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
- [NTSB LAX73FUG54](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73FUG54), May 27, 1973: Cessna 185E (N2262T), Big Bear Cy, CA, 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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