NTSB Factual Report

On June 22, 2003, about 1330 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182C, N8762T, sustained substantial damage during an off airport forced landing, subsequent to a loss of power, approximately one mile south of the Bandon State Airport (S05), Bandon, Oregon. The airplane is owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight originated from Bandon approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident.

During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board IIC on June 25, the pilot reported that he was descending to the airport, at a reduced power setting, from an altitude of approximately 5,500 feet MSL. He stated that as the airplane reached a two-mile final, for runway 34, the engine began to lose power and would not respond to throttle inputs. The pilot reported that he was unable to land at his intended destination and elected to land in a cranberry bog approximately one mile south of the airport.

During the landing rollout, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and fuselage.

An FAA airworthiness inspector from the Portland, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office examined the aircraft following the accident and reported that there was no evidence found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction.

The operator reported that following the accident; the airplanes engine was successfully started and run at multiple power settings. No operating malfunctions or anomalies were noted during the test run.

NTSB Probable Cause

Loss of engine power during descent for undetermined reasons.