This June 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Cessna 185.
Location: Kalispell, Mont.
Injuries: None.
Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot was practicing a simulated engine-out approach to an 1,800-foot private grass airstrip. He intended to execute a go-around once he reached 100 feet above ground level. During the approach, he maintained a manifold pressure of about 12 inches, so that the engine would still be producing a small amount of power. When the plane reached a height of about 100 feet above the ground, the pilot moved the throttle slightly forward to increase power to execute a go-around, but the engine did not respond. He pushed the throttle full forward. By the time he determined that the engine had lost all power, it was too late land on the grass strip. He made an emergency landing in a rough field past the departure end of the grass strip. The right main landing gear leg collapsed and the right wing hit the ground.
Probable cause: The complete loss of engine power during an attempted go-around from a simulated engine-out landing.
