# NTSB SEA88LA070: Cessna 305-A, N10442, Arlington, WA, March 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1988, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, WA
- Coordinates: 48.179214, -121.670501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1792&lon=-121.6705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40797/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA070

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - inadequate (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 200 FEET AGL, A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ONTO A TURF FIELD NEXT TO THE RUNWAY. DURING LANDING THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER INVERTED. THE PILOT STATED TO FAA INSPECTORS THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD SET OUTSIDE WITH LESS THAN FULL FUEL. THE ACFT ON THE FLOATS HAS A SLIGHTLY NOSE LOW ATTITUDE WHICH PLACES WATER IN THE FUEL TANK AWAY FROM THE DRAIN LOW POINT. THE PLTS RECOMMENDATION FOR PREVENTION IS TO TILT THE FLOAT PLANE TO A FLYING ATTITUDE AND THEN DRAIN THE FUEL. FUEL SAMPLES TAKEN AFTER THE ACC SNOWED 20 PERCENT WATER IN THE RT TANK AND IN THE CARBURETOR. THE PLT STATED THAT RAIN HAD SEEPED INTO THE RT TANK THROUGH THE FILLER CAP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10442](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N10442), registered now, S/N 22595, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305-A
- Registry model: [Cessna 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (registry code 2074002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22595
- Airframe hours: 1648
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-J 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David J. Hilty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1987
- Departed: S88, ARLINGTON, WA
- Destination: ADQ, KODIAK, AK
- Airport: S88, Arlington Municipal Arpt, runway 11, 2,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19880327037789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880327037789A), Mar 27, 1988: Cessna 305A, Arlington, WA, Substantial damage. Float plane sat out in rain for a week, engine quit on liftoff from a dolly. Water entered fuel from leaky fuel caps

## Other investigations on N10442 (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 CHI66F0640](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66F0640), Mar 25, 1966: Cessna 305A (N10442), South Haven, MI, 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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