# Accident 19960815046039A: Cessna A185E, Cody, WY, August 15, 1996

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 15, 1996, 14:30 local time
- Place: Cody, WY
- Airport: Switchback Ranch
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff Ground Roll
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: SPMA
- Location: 44.5104° N, 109.0501° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5104&lon=-109.0501&mi=10
- Aircraft: N185K, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N185K-2008-01-29) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna A185E (registry code 2072818, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520 series (registry code 17032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185E
- Reported engine: CONT IO520B
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 4,775 total, 65 in this make and model, 154 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA96LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA193) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960815046039A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.4)THE PILOT LANDED TO THE WEST AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, USING MODERATE BRAKING TO STOP ON A STEEP DOWNHILL PORTION OF THE RUNWAY. HE BACKTAXIED AND LOADED HIS PASSENGERS AND BAGGAGE, THEN BACKTAXIED FURTHER FOR TAKEOFF. THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL TO THE WEST, HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WITH LEFT RUDDER AND BRAKE, AND THE MAIN WHEELS DRIFTED OFF THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT TIPPED TO THE LEFT AND DAMAGED THE LEFT WINGTIP AND HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE WIND HAD BEEN FROM THE WEST AT 5 GUSTING 10 KNOTS, BUT HAD SHIFTED TO THE NORTHEAST. ALSO, HE NOTED THAT THE RIGHT MAIN WHEEL HAD BEEN DRAGGING MORE THAN THE LEFT WHEEL AS THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED OFF THE HARD-PACKED RUNWAY ONTO THE SOFTER SHOULDERS. ADDITIONALLY, THE PILOT NOTED THAT WHEN OPERATING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES AND IN HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDES, MORE TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED FOR BRAKES TO COOL, IF USED HEAVILY JUST BEFORE TAKEOFF.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA96LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA193), Aug 15, 1996: Cessna A185E (N185K), Cody, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane and runway alignment during the takeoff roll. Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind, and possible dragging of the…

## Other reports on N185K (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20040508008989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040508008989A), May 8, 2004: Cessna A185E (N185K), Denver, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 8, 2004 Cessna N185K crashed short of runway 17L at Centennial Airport, Colorado. The private pilot and his passenger were seriously injured. The…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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