ANC23LA080

Factual narrative

On September 18, 2023, about 1400 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna A185F airplane, N7558H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Homer, Alaska. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 sightseeing flight. The pilot stated that just after takeoff from the water, about treetop height, the engine exhibited a loss of power. He turned on the electric boost pump and engine power was briefly restored before the engine lost all power. He stated that the propeller was windmilling and that the fuel flow gauge indicated no fuel flow. The pilot performed a forced landing to a marsh and the airplane came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The airplane was recovered from the marsh and about 10 to 15 gallons of fuel that remained in the wing tanks were drained. An engine examination revealed fuel in the gascolator and finger screens were free of debris. Fuel from the left and right wing sumps and belly sumps were contaminated with water and debris. The electrical fuel pump was removed and actuated; it pushed fuel through the pump to the engine-driven fuel pump. The engine-driven fuel pump was bench tested and performed within standards. The engine was manually rotated; internal continuity was confirmed and thumb compression was obtained. The magnetos were removed and spark was observed on all leads. The upper spark plugs exhibited normal wear. The pilot departed on a local sightseeing flight with two passengers. Shortly after takeoff, about treetop height, the engine exhibited a loss of power. The pilot turned on the electric boost pump and power was briefly restored before the engine lost all power. He stated that the propeller was windmilling and that the fuel flow gauge indicated no fuel flow. He performed a forced landing to a marsh, and the airplane came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. An engine examination revealed fuel in the gascolator; fuel system finger screens were free of debris. The fuel from the left and right wing sumps and belly sumps were contaminated with water and debris from being submerged in the marsh. The electrical fuel pump and the engine-driven fuel pump were removed and no anomalies were noted. The engine was manually rotated and internal continuity was confirmed and thumb compression was obtained. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine (reciprocating)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined