# NTSB WPR21LA156: Cessna 182H, N2030X, Blakely Island, WA, April 11, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 11, 2021, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Blakely Island, WA · water landing - Coordinates: 48.541667, -122.7865 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5417&lon=-122.7865&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 102911 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102911/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA156 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during climb for reasons that could not be determined which resulted in a forced water landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, he made a right turn and paralleled the eastern shoreline of the island. While over the water, at an altitude of about 700 ft above ground level, the engine sputtered once followed by a complete loss of power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to the water near the shoreline. During the landing, the airplane nosed over and became submerged in about 50 ft of water. Postaccident examination of the recovered airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On April 11, 2021, about 1615 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182H, N2030X, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Blakely Island, Washington. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, on the day of the accident flight, he conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane and drained fuel from each of the wing fuel sumps that appeared blue in color and clear of debris. Shortly after departing from runway 1 at Blakley Island Airport (38WA), he made a right turn and paralleled the eastern shoreline of the island. During climb out, he set the engine power settings to 22” manifold pressure and 2,300 RPM. While over the waters of the Rosario Strait, at an altitude of about 700 ft above ground level, the engine sputtered once followed by a complete loss of power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to the water near the shoreline. During the landing, the airplane nosed over and became submerged in about 50 ft of salt water. The pilot further reported that, the airplane had been refueled on February 27, 2021, in Anacortes, Washington and had been flown for about 2 hours before to the accident. The airplane was relocated to Skagit Regional Airport (KBVS), Burlington/Mount Vernon, Washington for the annual inspection. The airplane was kept out of weather until the day before the accident flight, where it was relocated and positioned on the ramp at 38WA. Both days were sunny, warm and dry. Postaccident examination of the recovered airframe and engine revealed that both wings were substantially damaged. The recovery personnel had drained the fuel from both fuel tanks and moved the fuel selector lever from both to the off position. Visual inspection of the left and right fuel caps revealed that both fuel caps rubber seals appeared worn. Corrosion was observed on the left and right fuel filler port. The left- and right-wing fuel tanks exhibited wrinkles along the bottom of the fuel tank bladders. Throttle, carburetor heat and mixture control continuity were established from the cockpit controls to the carburetor and all levers moved from stop to stop when actuated by hand. The engine’s crankshaft was rotated by hand, and continuity was established throughout the engine and valve train. Examination of the cylinders with a lighted borescope revealed no anomalies. A small amount of water and fuel was present throughout the fuel system, carburetor, and gascolator. Debris and corrosion within the fuel system consistent with submersion in salt water was observed. Subsequent examination of the magnetos revealed that significant corrosion was present in both magnetos. The corrosion prevented a functional check of the magnetos. Examination of the recovered airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2030X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2030X-2021-08-05), registration cancelled 2021-08-05, S/N 18256130, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182H - Registry model: [Cessna 182H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182h) (registry code 2072718) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18256130 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 3495 - Engines: Continental O-470-R74B 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 2021, 1 hours before - Departed: 38WA, Blakely Island, WA - Destination: 74S, Anacortes, WA - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,937 total, 1,870 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.38 inHg - Observed at: KFHR, 11 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 20210411003789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210411003789A), Apr 11, 2021: Cessna 182H, Blakely Is, WA, Substantial damage. On April 11, 2021 at approximately 1548 local time, the pilot and his wife initiated a flight from Blakely Is.,WA.(38WA) to anacortes, WA. (74S). The aircraft,… 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.