# NTSB ANC06LA024: Cessna 185, N120KM, Ely, NV, March 6, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 6, 2006, 08:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Ely, NV - Coordinates: 39.285278, -114.833335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2853&lon=-114.8333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Reno FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63305 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06LA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63305/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06LA024 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for a quartering tailwind while taxiing, which resulted in a loss of control and an on ground encounter with terrain. A factor in the accident was the quartering crosswind. ## Analysis The commercial certificated pilot was back-taxiing on Runway 12 in preparation for takeoff. There was a strong, gusty wind from the left rear quarter. The pilot reported that a strong gust of wind lifted the left wing and tail of the airplane, and the right wing struck the surface of the runway. The airplane pivoted to the right, and swerved off the right side of the runway. The airplane's main wheels struck an area of muddy soil, and the airplane nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right elevator, and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On March 6, 2006, about 0820 pacific standard time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N120KM, sustained substantial damage while taxiing for takeoff at the Ely Airport, Ely, Nevada. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo commercial certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the accident airport about 0815. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on March 6, the pilot reported that he was back-taxiing on Runway 12 in preparation for takeoff. There was a strong, gusty wind from the left rear quarter. The pilot reported that a strong gust of wind lifted the left wing and tail of the airplane, and the right wing struck the surface of the runway. The airplane pivoted to the right, and swerved off the right side of the runway. The airplane's main wheels struck an area of muddy soil, and the airplane nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right elevator, and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff - terrain condition - ground ## Aircraft - Registration: [N120KM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N120KM-2014-03-04), registration cancelled 2014-03-04, S/N 18503720, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185 - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18503720 - Airframe hours: 2900.5 - Engines: Continental IO-550 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edmond H. Sears - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2005 - Departed: KELY, Ely, NV - Destination: Ely, NV - Airport: KELY, Ely Airport (Yelland Field), runway 12, 4,812 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 4,505 total, 750 in this make and model, 4,437 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 20 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 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 20060306003119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060306003119A), Mar 6, 2006: Cessna A185F, Ely, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 6, 2006, at 8:15 am, the pilot [privacy data omitted] taxied his Cessna 185 from the ramp at the Ely, NV airport for departure. As he was… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- 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.