Cessna A185F accident near Homer, Alaska, September 18, 2023
On September 18, 2023 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Cessna A185F, registered N7558H, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Homer, Alaska (Homer-Beluga Lake airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 18, 2023 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Homer, Alaska · Homer-Beluga Lake · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A185F · all A185Fs on the register
- Registration
- N7558H · registry record · serial 18503394
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Unknown or undetermined during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,957 hours in all; 1,700 in this make and model; 142 in the last 90 days; 75 in the last 30 days; 8,900 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 5, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,883 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 14, 2023; 17.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,525 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520D (piston); 2,983 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.52 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from AHO
Weather report (METAR): PAHO 182153Z 36006KT 10SM FEW070 14/02 A2952 RMK AO2 SLP996 T01390017
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on September 30, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Examination | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N7558H the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.