- Date
- March 13, 1994, 15:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place
- Fort Lewis, WA
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N4732ECessna 185
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Not reported
- Status
- Completed · report January 26, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19940313005009A
- Case key
- 41895
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The fuel shutoff valve seized in a partially open position.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot of the Cessna amphibian experienced a loss of available power and attempted to return for a landing on the lake from which he had departed. Post crash inspection revealed that the fuel shutoff valve was seized in a partially restricted position, restricting fuel flow.
Factual narrative
On March 13, 1994, at approximately 1520 Pacific standard time (PST), an amphibious Cessna 185, N4732E, impacted the water during a precautionary landing on American Lake, Tacoma, Washington. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The local personal pleasure flight was on its initial takeoff when the accident occurred. No flight plan had been filed, and the ELT, which was activated by the impact with the water, was turned off at the scene.
The pilot said that after takeoff, the aircraft seemed to be producing substantially less power than he expected. He moved the throttle to full forward, and adjusted the propeller to maximum rpm, but felt that he would not be able to clear the trees at the end of the lake. He then made a steep turn back toward the center of the lake, and while he was rolling out of the turn, the aircraft impacted the water and flipped over.
The fuel shutoff valve, Cessna part number 9851070-2, was found to be seized in a partially closed position, restricting fuel flow.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N4732E
- Reported as
- Cessna 185
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18503849
- Airframe hours
- 1,251
- Engine
- Continental IO-520, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Mcmahon, Bob D.
- Registered owner
- Mcmahon, Robert D.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 30, 1993 · 24 hours before
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 30
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Single-engine sea, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane, Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 2,105 total · 20 in this make and model · 1,950 as pilot in command · 60 in the last 90 days · 15 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Not reported
- Visibility
- 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 63 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- TCM
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.