Incident Overview
On September 9, 2012, at approximately 1545 Pacific daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna A185F, registration N80SS, executed an emergency landing in the Pacific Ocean roughly 16 miles northwest of Cambria, California. The commercial pilot was operating the airplane under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a cross-country flight. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The aircraft subsequently sank in 6-foot swells and was not recovered.
Flight Details
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which departed from Camarillo Airport (CMA) in Camarillo, California, at an undetermined time. The intended destination was Canada, and no flight plan had been filed.
Pilot Account
According to rescue personnel, the pilot reported a loss of manifold pressure. He made an emergency landing on the ocean, and shortly after being rescued by the Coast Guard, the airplane sank.
In an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (NTSB IIC), the pilot stated that the engine experienced a partial power loss, with insufficient power to maintain flight, describing it as if someone had pulled the throttle back. The manifold pressure was at 13 inches. The pilot reported that he pointed the airplane into the swells and executed the forced landing.
The pilot did not return a pilot/operator report but provided a full statement to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. In that statement, the pilot noted that the purpose of the flight was an annual fishing trip with his son. They were at about 1,700 feet when engine power was lost. The engine did not sputter; it felt as if the throttle was pulled back. The engine could not produce more than 15 inches of manifold pressure. The pilot speculated that there may have been a problem with the turbocharger wastegate.
Aftermath
The aircraft sank in the ocean and was not recovered. No injuries were reported among the occupants.