# NTSB ANC01LA122: Cessna 185F, N111FB, Cordova, AK, August 22, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 2001, 18:30 local (Aug 22, 2001, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Cordova, AK
- Coordinates: 60.533332, -145.716659
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5333&lon=-145.7167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 15, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 53223
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53223/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA122

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff.  Factors associated with the accident were trees and a variable wind.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The certificated commerical pilot, with two passengers aboard, was departing to the east on a grass-covered airstrip.  Just after lift-off, a strong gust of wind from the left pushed the tail of the airplane to the right.  The airplane veered to the left and struck a stand of trees.  It sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.

## Factual narrative

On August 21, 2001, about 1830 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 185F airplane, N111FB, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from Boswell Bay Airstrip, located about 15 miles southwest of Cordova, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The certificated commercial pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company VFR flight following procedures were in effect.  The flight originated at the accident airstrip and was en route to Cordova.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on August 21, the pilot reported that while departing to the east on a grass-covered airstrip, just after lift-off, a strong gust of wind from the left pushed the tail of the airplane to the right, and the airplane veered to the left.  The left wing struck a stand of trees, and the airplane continued off the left side of the airstrip.  It came to rest in a stand of trees adjacent to the airstrip edge, and sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.

The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N111FB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503251
- Airframe hours: 1105
- Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James B. Kallander
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 2001
- Departed: CVD, Cordova, AK
- Destination: CVD, Cordova, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 8, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 6,192 total, 450 in this make and model, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.42 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20010821036169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010821036169A), Aug 21, 2001: Cessna A185F, Cordova, AK, No damage. (-23) Pilot reportedly encountered a strong gust of wind on liftoff and the aircraft veered to the left. The left wing struck a stand of trees and pivoted 180…

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.

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