On October 23, 1985, a Cessna 185 (registration N8475Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Block Island, RI. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A floatplane lost engine power approximately 15 miles south of Martha's Vineyard. The pilot attempted restarts but was forced to ditch the aircraft in the water, where it sank and could not be recovered.
What happened
The floatplane experienced a sudden loss of power while flying approximately 15 miles south of the Martha's Vineyard VOR. During this event, the engine manifold pressure dropped significantly, and the revolutions per minute became erratic. The pilot attempted to restart the engine by utilizing both the primary and emergency fuel pumps, but these efforts were unsuccessful.
After failing to restore engine power, the pilot contacted Suffolk, Martha's Vineyard, and Bridgeport towers. The pilot provided his current location and advised air traffic control of the intention to ditch the aircraft. The floatplane subsequently sank in the water and was not recovered.
What happened in the 23 Oct 1985 Cessna 185 accident near Block Island, RI?
A floatplane lost engine power approximately 15 miles south of Martha's Vineyard. The pilot attempted restarts but was forced to ditch the aircraft in the water, where it sank and could not be recovered.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 23 Oct 1985 involved a Cessna 185, registration N8475Q, at Block Island, RI.
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