Cessna A185F N8WF

Summary

On 12 June 2024 at about 18:00 local time, a Cessna A185F registered N8WF was involved in an accident near Monument Hills, California, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 June 2024 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Monument Hills, California, United States

Nearest airport

Watts-Woodland (O41)

Coordinates

38.6300, -121.8500

Aircraft

Cessna A185F

Registration

N8WF

Category

Airplane

Year built

1976

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sacramento → Woodland

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR24LA193

Nobody was injured.

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he departed on the 20-nautical-mile flight with 70 gallons of fuel onboard. About 5 miles from the destination airport, the engine lost total power, and the pilot selected a field for a forced landing. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder and right wing. Data downloaded from the airplane’s engine monitor indicated that the airplane departed with about 66 gallons of fuel and flew for about 29 minutes when the engine lost power. The last recorded data point indicated about 52 gallons of fuel remaining. Recovery personnel stated that when they arrived at the accident site, they observed fuel leaking from the airplane and recovered 30 gallons of fuel from the airplane. Samples did not indicate evidence of fuel contamination. Based on the flight time, the airplane’s estimated fuel consumption, and the amount of fuel recovered from the airplane, it was likely that sufficient fuel was available for the flight. Examination of the airplane and fuel-injected engine revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.