Cessna A185F accident near Ronan, Montana, June 25, 1992
On June 25, 1992 at about 7:10 pm local time, a Cessna A185F, registered N4690C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ronan, Montana. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S OPERATION WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT AND ERRATIC OPERATION OF THE FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: SOFT TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 25, 1992 · about 7:10 pm local time
- Place
- Ronan, Montana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A185F · all A185Fs on the register
- Registration
- N4690C · registry record · serial 18502597
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT HAD EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS UPON POWER REAPPLICATION FOLLOWING IDLE OPERATION SUBSEQUENT TO LANDING ON SEVERAL PREVIOUS OCCASIONS. AFTER DISCUSSING THE SYMPTOMS WITH A MECHANIC, AND DECIDING THAT THE FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM REQUIRED ADJUSTMENT, THE PILOT INITIATED A FLIGHT TO THE MECHANIC'S FACILITY TO CARRY OUT THE INTENDED MAINTENANCE WORK. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING FOR THE MECHANIC'S AIRSTRIP, AND AT THE COMPLETION OF A 360 DEGREE SPIRALLING DESCENT TO LOSE ALTITUDE PRIOR TO LANDING, THE PILOT REAPPLIED POWER, EXPERIENCED A SURGE AND THEN LOST ENGINE POWER. HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING ON SOFT TERRAIN DURING WHICH THE LEFT MAIN GEAR SEPARATED AFTER THE GEAR BEGAN TO DIG IN DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE FUEL CONTROL METERING UNIT HAD BEEN REPAIRED IN APRIL OF 1991 PRIOR TO THE AIRCRAFT'S SALE AND RELOCATION FROM NEW MEXICO TO MONTANA IN NOVEMBER 1991.
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: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,630 hours in all; 150 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days; 1,540 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,100 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 4, 1991; 100 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,350 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 52S St. Ignatius MT at 7:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:50 pm from MSO, 37 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.