Cessna 182H accident near Blakely Island, Washington, April 11, 2021
On April 11, 2021 at about 11:15 pm local time, a 1965 Cessna 182H, registered N2030X, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Blakely Island, Washington. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 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 during climb for reasons that could not be determined which resulted in a forced water landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 11, 2021 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Blakely Island, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182H, built 1965 · all 182Hs on the register
- Registration
- N2030X · no longer on the register · serial 18256130
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, he made a right turn and paralleled the eastern shoreline of the island. While over the water, at an altitude of about 700 ft above ground level, the engine sputtered once followed by a complete loss of power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to the water near the shoreline. During the landing, the airplane nosed over and became submerged in about 50 ft of water. Postaccident examination of the recovered airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 1,937 hours in all; 1,870 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: October 1, 2019
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,495 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 10, 2021; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R74B (piston); 245 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 38WA Blakely Island WA at 11:10 pm
- Destination: 74S Anacortes WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.38 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KFHR, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.