# NTSB SEA95LA096: Cessna A185F, N1684R, Oroville, WA, May 9, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 9, 1995, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Oroville, WA - Coordinates: 48.870796, -119.219154 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8708&lon=-119.2192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 84-10-01 R1](https://openairdocs.org/ad/84-10-01-R1) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 42147 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42147/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA096 ## Probable cause WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE FLIGHT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DETERIORATED SEAL(S) ON THE FUEL TANK CAP(S), NON-COMPLIANCE WITH AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE TO PREVENT WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE CAPS, AND THE PROXIMITY OF TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - fuel system,cap - deteriorated (contributing factor) - maintenance,compliance with ad - not complied with, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, SHE NOTED THAT THE EGT WAS RISING AFTER THE AIRPLANE HAD CLIMBED TO ABOUT 700 FEET. SHE TURNED ONTO THE DOWNWIND LEG OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, THEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT, AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES SHORT OF RUNWAY 33. DURING AN INSPECTION, WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FUEL FILLER CAP SEALS AND SEATS WERE FOUND CRACKED AND DETERIORATED. THE AIRCRAFT LOGBOOK INDICATED THAT AN AIR WORTHINESS DIRECTIVE (AD 84-10-01) HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH. THIS AD ADDRESSED THE PREVENTION OF WATER CONTAMINATION DUE TO LEAKING CAP SEALS. ## Factual narrative On May 9, 1995, at 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N1684R, experienced a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from runway 33, at the Dorothy Scott Airport, Oroville, Washington. The pilot attempted to return to runway 33 for an emergency landing, however, the airplane collided with trees short of the runway. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot and her passenger were not injured. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that during the preflight inspection, the fuel tanks were approximately half full. The pilot stated that she rocked the wings then drained fuel from the sumps. All indications were normal for the taxi and takeoff. After the airplane lifted off and attained an altitude of approximately 700 feet, the pilot noted that the Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) was rising. The pilot turned the airplane to return to runway 33, and stated that during the downwind leg, the engine lost power and the EGT was at the redline. The airplane was unable to make it to the runway and collided with trees short of runway 33. On May 17, 1995, a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Renton, Washington, Flight Standards District Office, inspected the engine and stated that approximately two tablespoons of water were found in the gascolator. Water was also found in the reservoir tank. A local mechanic stated that the day after the accident, he had drained some fuel from the gascolator and reservoir tank and reported that water was visible. A temporary fuel tank was installed on the airplane and the engine was started. The engine ran for several minutes from idle power to 1700 rpm. A magneto check was performed with a 50-75 rpm drop. The Inspector reported no noted abnormalities. Inspection of all four fuel filler caps revealed that all four fuel cap seals were deteriorated and cracked. The seats also showed signs of corrosion. The aircraft and engine logbooks indicate that an annual inspection was completed on May 1, 1995. The logbooks do not indicate that Airworthiness Directive AD84- 10-01 R1 was complied with. This AD addresses the prevention of water contamination due to leaking fuel cap seals. ## Aircraft - Registration: N1684R (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18502407 - Airframe hours: 3260 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cecilie A. Martin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1995, 3 hours before - Airport: 0S7, Dorothy Scott, runway 33, 4,010 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,090 total, 800 in this make and model, 931 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F ## 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 19950509010889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950509010889A), May 9, 1995: Cessna A185F, Oroville, WA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Struck trees. Found water in fuel. Gs caps leaking and corroded. Recent annual. AD missed. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.