# Accident 20030326004059A: Cessna A185F, Grand Junction, CO, March 26, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 26, 2003, 18:16 local time
- Place: Grand Junction, CO
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Climb
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.1492° N, 108.4153° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1492&lon=-108.4153&mi=10
- Aircraft: N53008, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53008-2003-07-10) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna A185F (registry code 2072821, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520 series (registry code 17032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 4
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DEN03FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03FA059) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030326004059A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE OBSERVED LOADING THE AIRCRAFT WITH A BATHROOM TUB AND SHOWER ENCLOSURE WITH THE REAR SEATS REMOVED. PLUMBING FIXTURES, PIPE, AND MISC. ELECTRICAL OUTLETS WERE ALSO FOUND AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. WINDS WERE OUT OF THE SOUTHWEST AT 40 TO 45 KTS. AND THE PILOT WAS OBSERVED HAVING DIFFICULTY IN TAXIING TO THE RUNWAY FOR DEPARTURE. DURING THE TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND CONTINUED UNTIL AIRBORNE. A LEFT TURN WAS MADE AND AN ERRATIC TRACK WAS FLOWN WITH A DIRECT TAIL WIND TOWARD A MESA FIVE MILES FROM THE AIRPORT IN LINE TO HIS DESTINATION. LESS THAN A MILE BEYOND THE MESA EDGE THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE CANYON FLOOR AT A STEEP ANGLE AND VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE ENGINE APPEARED TO BE PRODUCING POWER AND ALL FLIGHT CONTROLS WERE FOUND TO HAVE CONTINUITY.

## 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 DEN03FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03FA059), Mar 27, 2003: Cessna A185F (N53008), Grand Junction, CO, destroyed, 4 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's poor judgment and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the high winds and downdrafts, and the pilot's self-induced pressure to go home.

## Other reports on N53008 (2)

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

- [Accident 19750626017909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750626017909A), Jun 26, 1975: Cessna A185F (N53008), Burlington, CO, Substantial damage. Aborted go-around after power loss. Lint & rust found in screens.
- [Accident 19740408007119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740408007119A), Apr 8, 1974: Cessna A185F (N53008), Burlington, CO, Substantial damage. Gusting to 15K

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.