# NTSB SEA95LA040: Cessna A185E, N748, Hillsboro, OR, January 21, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1995, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Hillsboro, OR
- Coordinates: 45.579963, -122.910911 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5800&lon=-122.9109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42101
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42101/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA040

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF, THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN FULL POWER AND ELECTED TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING TO AN OPEN SOFT FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH SOFT TERRAIN AND THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE FOUND TO INDICATE A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SUSPECTED FUEL CONTAMINATION; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SUBSTANTIATE THIS CLAIM.

## Factual narrative

On January 21, 1995, at 1430 Pacific standard time, a Cessna A185E, N748, experienced a loss of engine power shortly after take off from the Starks Twin Oaks Airport, Hillsboro, Oregon.  The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field where during the landing roll, the airplane collided with the terrain.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.

The pilot reported that after the airplane attained an altitude of 1,500 feet, he leveled off.  Shortly thereafter, the engine lost power to idle.  The pilot was unable to regain full power to the engine and he elected to execute a forced landing to an open soft field.  During the landing roll, the landing gear separated and the right wing was damaged.

During an engine examination, there was no evidence found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction.  The pilot stated that he suspected possible fuel contamination, however, there was no evidence to substantiate this claim.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N748](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N748-2019-07-17), registration cancelled 2019-07-17, S/N 18502035 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185E
- Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18502035
- Airframe hours: 3734
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D23 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wittenberg, Dennis E.
- Registered owner: Wittenberg, Dennis E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 1994, 60 hours before
- Departed: 7S3, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 200 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HIO, 7 nm away

## 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 19950121000749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950121000749A), Jan 21, 1995: Cessna A185E, Hillsboro, OR, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Landed in soft field collapsing landing gear. No defects. Pilot blamed fuel contamination.

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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