# NTSB SEA89LA044: Cessna 182, N3254Y, N. Bonneville, WA, January 31, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1989, 16:30 local (Jan 31, 1989, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: N. Bonneville, WA
- Coordinates: 45.670131, -121.989738 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6701&lon=-121.9897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40976
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40976/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA044

## Probable cause

SOME FORM OF CARBURETOR MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PLANNED FORCED LANDING APPROACH BY THE PLT WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE LANDING SHORT OF THE DESIRED LANDING SITE.

## Analysis

THE PLT PURCHASED THE ACFT AND OBTAINED A FERRY PERMIT (DELINQUENT ANNUAL). AFTER THE FIRST STOP, THE PLT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING THE ENG. THE ENG WOULD START THEN DIE ON THROTTLE APPLICATION. A MECHANIC ADVISED THE PLT THAT THE CARB HEAT WAS IN NEED OF AN OVERHAUL. DURING CRUISE FLT, THE PLT NOTED VISIBLE MOISTURE ON THE WINDSHIELD AND APPLIED CARB HEAT. THE PLT LATER NOTED THE CARB HEAT TEMP 'IN YELLOW' AND ADDED MORE HEAT AFTER WHICH THE ENG QUIT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENG AND THE ENG WOULD FIRE BUT DIE ON THROTTLE APPLICATION. A FORCED LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED ON AN ISLAND. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN 100 FT SHORT AND SANK. DISASSEMBLY AND INSPECTION OF THE CARB SHOWED NO MECH FAILURE OR UNDUE WEAR/TEAR; HOWEVER, INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL IF THE CARB WAS SET WITHIN SPECS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - weather condition - clouds
  - fuel system,carburetor - erratic (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Undershoot, landing
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3254Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3254Y-2012-09-05), registration cancelled 2012-09-05, S/N 51828 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182b) (registry code 2072706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51828
- Airframe hours: 3697
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bernard A. Maxwell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 1986, 51 hours before
- Departed: ONO, ONTARIO, OR
- Destination: WA72, YELM, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 420 total, 12 in this make and model, 380 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 22 nm away

## Other investigations on N3254Y (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 DEN84FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA011), Oct 14, 1983: Cessna 182 (N3254Y), Hanksville, UT, destroyed, 2 fatal

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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