Probable cause
The pilot not checking the security of the fuel caps prior to flight leading to fuel exhaustion and the subsequent non-mechanical loss of engine power during descent.
NTSB analysis
The pilot had the airplane fueled and then departed on a cross country flight. The airplane lost engine power during descent. The airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted high vegetation during the forced landing. The pilot stated that he did not check the fuel tank caps before the flight. The fuel tanks did not contain fuel and fuel caps were not in-place on-scene. The airplane's preflight inspection checklist indicate that both fuel tank caps are to be checked for security.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA477 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 30, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- River Falls, Wisconsin
- Nearest airport
- South St Paul Municipal Arpt (SGS)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Cessna A185F
- N-number
- N989DM
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.