Event ANC99LA126

Factual narrative

On August 29, 1999, about 1815 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna A185E airplane, N124LR, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing, about 4 miles east of Anchorage, Alaska, at 61.06.37 north latitude, 149.51.80 west longitude. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated private pilot, and the three passengers aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1743, from an off airport site located on Eleanor Island, Alaska. During an on-site interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on August 29, the pilot reported that during the initial descent to the Lake Hood Seaplane Base, all engine power was lost. The pilot said that after performing the engine emergency procedures, he was unable to restore engine power. The pilot stated that he selected a forced landing area in a slough that was surrounded by trees. During the forced landing, the left wing struck a stand of trees, and the airplane pivoted to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. An on-site inspection of the airplane by the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 29, revealed the presence of fuel in both wing tanks, fuel lines, and the fuel manifold assembly. No mechanical defects were found with the engine. The cockpit fuel selector valve was found in the "both" position. On September 7, 1999, the engine, while still mounted on the accident airplane's airframe, was operated under the direction of the IIC. The engine ran without any observed anomalies, and produced full factory specified rpm. The certificated private pilot, with three passengers aboard, reported that during initial descent, all engine power was lost. He said that after performing the engine emergency procedures, he was unable to restore engine power, and he selected a forced landing site that was surrounded by trees. During the forced landing, the left wing struck a stand of trees, and the airplane pivoted to the left. A postaccident investigation revealed the presence of fuel in both wing tanks, fuel lines, and the fuel manifold assembly. No mechanical defects were found with the engine. The cockpit fuel selector valve was found in the 'both' position. On September 7, 1999, the engine was operated while still mounted on the accident airplane's airframe. No anomalies were observed during its operation, and the engine produced full factory specified rpm. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12