# NTSB SEA88LA158: Cessna 185, N14407, Hillsboro, OR, August 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1988, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Hillsboro, OR
- Coordinates: 45.439605, -122.960205 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4396&lon=-122.9602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40870
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40870/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA158

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - fuel system,line - leak (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - guy wire (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING A FUEL TANK SWITCHOVER. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TELEPHONE POLE GUY WIRE ON THE ROAD DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FUEL LEAK INDUCED WHEN THE FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS IN OPERATION. THE LEAK OCCURRED AT THE FUEL PRESSURE GAGE LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14407](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14407), registered now, S/N 185-0676, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna 185C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185c) (registry code 2072808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1850676
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eugene J. Waibel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1987, 18 hours before
- Departed: SLE, SALEM, OR
- Destination: HIO, HILLSBORO, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 935 total, 141 in this make and model, 912 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °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 19880820037869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880820037869A), Aug 20, 1988: Cessna 185, Hillsboro, OR, Substantial damage. Ran fuel tank dry. Switched tanks, unable restart. Hit wires landing. Fuel leak in pressure gauge line.

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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