# Accident 20200117011239A: Cessna 185D, Laytonsville, MD, January 17, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 17, 2020, 17:09 local time
- Place: Laytonsville, MD
- Airport: Davis
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.2433° N, 77.1500° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2433&lon=-77.1500&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1557F, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1557F) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 185D (registry code 2072812, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental I0-470 series (registry code 17027, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185D
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR I0-470 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,900 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA20CA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA091) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200117011239A

## Narrative

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

IN REVIEWING THE VIDEO AVAILABLE FROM THE AIRPORT OPERATOR, ABOUT THREE SECONDS INTO THE TAKEOFF ROLLOUT,  THE AIRCRAFT VEERED HARD TO THE LEFT. CORRECTIVE INPUT FROM THE PILOT CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO YAW HARD TO THE RIGHT, AND EXIT THE RUNWAY.

IN EXITING THE RUNWAY, THE AIRCRAFT CROSSED A DITCH/TROUGH WHICH CAUSED IT TO IMPACT THE LEFT WING ONTO THE GROUND AND COLLAPSE THE LEFT LANDING GEAR INBOARD APPARENTLY DUE TO THE SIDELOADS.

THEREAFTER, THE AIRCRAFT EXITED THE RUNWAY, CROSSED A DRAINAGE DITCH, AND CAME TO A STOP IN THE RUNWAY CLEAR AREA IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY.

THE VIDEO SHOWS THE AIRCRAFT'S WINGS IMPACTING THE GROUND, AND LANDING GEAR COLLAPSING AFTER IT WAS SUBJECTED TO A SIDE LOAD.

A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT SHOWED THE TAIL WHEEL BROKEN OFF.

GAI WEATHER:  16:56; WIND: NW @ 6 MPH; VISIBILITY: 10.00 MILES; CONDITIONS: FAIR; SKY CONDITIONS: CLR; TEMP: 30°F; DEW POINT: 13°F; HUMIDITY 49%; ALTIMETER: 30.69 IN.

## 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 ERA20CA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA091), Jan 17, 2020: Cessna 185 (N1557F), Laytonsville, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the tailwheel attachment tube during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control, a runway excursion, and the left main landing gear collapsing.

## Other reports on N1557F (1)

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

- [Incident 19780129004469I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780129004469I), Jan 29, 1978: Cessna 185D (N1557F), Hagerstown, MD, Minor damage. Aircraft struck a pile of snow as it turned off runway. Pilot could not see over nose.

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.