N2750J

On July 14, 1998, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185E airplane, N2750J, received substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent off airport forced landing near McGrath, Alaska. The solo commercial certificated pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions, and a VFR flight plan was in effect. The flight originated at McGrath about 1650, and the destination was Palmer, Alaska.

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on the day of the accident, the pilot related the purpose of the flight was to ferry the airplane to an engine repair facility in Palmer for an inspection. He said he had noticed some aluminum-type particulate matter in the engine oil during the last oil change, and wanted the engine inspected. He said the accident flight proceeded normally as he climbed the airplane to about 8,000 feet msl. At that time, the engine begin to shudder violently, and then quit. He said he attempted to return to the McGrath Airport, but was unable to glide that far. He selected a road about one mile east of the airport for an emergency landing. During the ensuing landing roll, the left wing struck willow trees, and the airplane was pulled to the left and into a ditch, causing substantial damage to the wings and the fuselage.

The engine from the accident airplane has not been recovered and made available to the NTSB for inspection. It is unknown when, or if, the engine will be brought to a repair facility for inspection, and there are no suitable aviation repair/inspection facilities in McGrath.