Cessna 182 accident near East Sound, Washington, July 29, 1986
On July 29, 1986 at about 1:50 am local time, a Cessna 182, registered N71131, was substantially damaged in an accident near East Sound, Washington (Orcas Island airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 1986 · about 1:50 am local time
- Place
- East Sound, Washington · Orcas Island · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N71131 · no longer on the register · serial 18259506
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING LANDING ROLL AT ABOUT 25 MPH THE PILOT APPLIED BOTH BRAKES. A SHORT TIME THEREAFTER THE RIGHT BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DESPITE THE PILOT'S APPLICATION OF HARD LEFT BRAKE AND RUDDER, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT INTO A DRAINAGE DITCH. THE NOSE GEAR WAS SHEERED OFF DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE RIGHT BRAKE WAS FOUND TO BE COMPLETELY WORN AND THE LEFT BRAKE SHOWED ABOUT 15% - 20% WEAR.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,379 hours in all; 79 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 1,824 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,333 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 16, 1986
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BFI Seattle WA at 3:10 pm
- Destination: S17 East Sound WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 2,900 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 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.
Other NTSB records under N71131 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.