# NTSB SEA90LA024: Cessna A-185-F, N1920Q, Seattle, WA, November 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 29, 1989, 03:20 local (11:20 UTC)
- Place: Seattle, WA
- Coordinates: 47.539039, -122.310684 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5390&lon=-122.3107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41154
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41154/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA024

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## Analysis

DURING AN UNAUTHORIZED FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE WAS LAST CLEARED TO LAND BY ATC. THE CONTROLLER LOST VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE AIRPLANE AND AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO MAKE CONTACT WAS MADE. THE AIRPLANE WAS LATER FOUND ABANDONED ON THE TAXIWAY JUST OFF THE RUNWAY. SKID MARKS BEGINNING APRX 600 FEET FROM THE THRESHOLD AND ENDING AT THE WRECKAGE WERE FOUND. THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR HAD COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE WAS RESTING ON THE LEFT WING. THE PROPELLER BLADES WERE BOTH BENT AND CURLED. THE PILOT WAS NEVER LOCATED AND THE OWNER REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE MUST HAVE BEEN STOLEN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1920Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1920Q), registered now, S/N 18503502, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A-185-F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503502
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: George F. Cahill, III
- Airport: BFI, Boeing Field, runway 31L, 10,001 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: BFI

## 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 19891129047679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891129047679A), Nov 29, 1989: Cessna A185F, Seattle, WA, Substantial damage. Last observed on final. Found later,crashed off side of runway. Pilot left scene. Aircraft reported stolen.

## Other investigations on N1920Q (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA19CA513](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA513), Aug 22, 2019: Cessna A185 (N1920Q), Rangeley Lake, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the floats, which led to his subsequent attempt to depart from a lake with damaged floats and led to a loss of roll control and the right wing impacting…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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