Funk, D.D. Aviation Co. B85C accident near Buffalo, Minnesota, September 29, 1992
On September 29, 1992 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Funk, D.D. Aviation Co. B85C, registered N1609N, was substantially damaged in an accident near Buffalo, Minnesota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE CONTAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR, INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, AND THE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE SERVICING BY THE PILOT/OWNER.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 29, 1992 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Buffalo, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Funk, D.D. Aviation Co. B85C
- Registration
- N1609N · registry record · serial 394
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS ON DOWN WIND FOR HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. IT SUBSEQUENTLY QUIT, AND TREES AND TERRAIN WERE STRUCK DURING THE ENSUING FORCED LANDING. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM DISCLOSED NO SUBSTANTIVE MECHANICAL ANOMALIES WITH THE ENGINE. THE CARBURETOR FUEL FILTER SCREEN CAP WAS INSTALLED USING A GASKET ADHESIVE INSTEAD OF THE PROPER GASKET, AND A LARGE QUANTITY OF FOREIGN PARTICULATE MATTER WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 21,000 hours in all; 300 in this make and model; 17,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 18, 1992; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.