# NTSB SEA95LA208: Cessna 185F, N9222H, Salem, OR, September 4, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 1995, 17:44 local (Sep 4, 1995, 00:44 UTC) - Place: Salem, OR - Coordinates: 44.84095, -123.081001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8409&lon=-123.0810&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 4, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42243 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA208 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42243/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA208 ## Probable cause A LOSS OF POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING FOR A FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - Loss of control - in flight, emergency landing - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis DURING BANNER PICKUP FOR A BANNER TOWING OPERATION, THE TOW LINE BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE TAILWHEEL AND DISPLACED THE RUDDER TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A FLY-BY PAST HIS GROUND CREW TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO RELEASE THE BANNER OR LAND. THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER THE FLY-BY HE ATTEMPTED TO ADD POWER TO GO AROUND, BUT SUSTAINED A LOSS OF POWER AT THAT TIME. HE DID A SHARP LEFT TURN TO AVOID OBSTACLES AND ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING ON THE AIRPORT. WITNESSES NOTED THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL AND THAT THE NOSE DROPPED DURING THE MANEUVER. NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 1995, at 1744 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 185, N9222H, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing while conducting a low pass while towing a banner at the Salem, Oregon, airport. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. No flight plan was filed for the flight, which was a banner tow operation to be conducted under 14 CFR 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the flight. The ELT actuated, but did not assist in the location of the accident. An FAA inspector who went to the scene reported that this was a banner tow operation. The cable had wrapped around the tail wheel during pickup and the pilot had reported rudder problems and had made a low pass at 65 knots indicated airspeed over the runway for his ground crew to observe the aircraft. The pilot stated that the engine sustained a loss of power when he opened his throttle as he finished his pass, and he did a sharp left turn and attempted a forced landing on the northwest corner of the airport. Witnesses noted that the aircraft nose dropped abruptly during the turn and also stated that there was no indication of a loss of power from the sound of the engine. FAA inspectors noted strike marks in the pavement at the accident site that appeared to have been made from a rotating propeller. Both propeller blade tips were curled forward, with the rest of the blade surfaces curled aft. The engine was inspected and the fuel injection fuel pump, electric boost pump, and the fuel injection fuel control were tested. No mechanical anomalies were noted that would preclude the engine from operating. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9222H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9222H-2007-01-29), registration cancelled 2007-01-29, S/N 18503423, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F - Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18503423 - Airframe hours: 1879 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Wayne E Cartwright - Registered owner: James D. Morgan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 1994, 40 hours before - Departed: SLE - Airport: KSLE, Mcnary Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,667 total, 17 in this make and model, 5,563 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SLE ## 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 19950903027809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950903027809A), Sep 3, 1995: Cessna 185F, Salem, OR, Substantial damage. During banner pickup towline tangled in tailwheel pulled rudder right. Unable drop banner. Stalled on climbout. ## Other investigations on N9222H (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA06WA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06WA042), Oct 17, 2005: Cessna 185 (N9222H), Limestone Lake, Canada, destroyed, 1 fatal 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.