# NTSB SEA94LA082: Cessna 185, N4732E, Fort Lewis, WA, March 13, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1994, 15:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Fort Lewis, WA
- Location: 47.0955° N, 122.5674° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Lewis, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0955&lon=-122.5674&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41895/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA082

## Probable cause

THE FUEL SHUTOFF VALVE SEIZED IN A PARTIALLY OPEN POSITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,fuel shutoff - movement restricted (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503849
- Airframe hours: 1251
- Engines: 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.

- 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19940313005009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940313005009A), Mar 13, 1994: Cessna A185F, Fort Lewis, WA, Substantial damage. Not full power on takeoff. Tried turn back avoid trees on shore. Impacted in turn. Fuel selector stuck partial off.

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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