# NTSB BFO92LA122: Cessna 185, N93766, Dover Foxcroft, ME, September 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1992, 07:45 local (11:45 UTC)
- Place: Dover Foxcroft, ME
- Location: 45.1912° N, 69.2514° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from CHARLES A CHASE JR MEML FLD (44B), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1912&lon=-69.2514&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11838
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11838/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA122

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE SERVICING OF THE AIRCRAFT WHICH RESULTED IN THE LACK OF HYDRAULIC FLUID AND THE CONSEQUENT LOSS OF BRAKE PRESURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,normal brake system - disabled (contributing factor)
  - fluid,hydraulic - lack of (cause)
  - aircraft service - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO VEER LEFT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE.  THE PILOT APPLIED THE RIGHT BRAKE AND GOT NO RESPONSE.  HE TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE BY APPLYING THROTTLE TO GET TAIL RUDDER CONTROL, BUT THIS ACTION WAS INEFFECTIVE.  THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO VEER OFF THE RUNWAY AND DOWN THE AN EMBANKMENT.  AS THE AIRPLANE TIPPED DOWN OVER THE EMBANKMENT, THE PILOT'S KNEE PUSHED THE THROTTLE FORWARD, WHICH GAVE THE ENGINE A BURST OF POWER.  THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED DOWN THE EMBANKMENT AND NOSED OVER.  THE ON SCENE INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THERE WAS NO BRAKE FLUID IN THE RIGHT BRAKE RESERVOIR AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF FLUID LEAKAGE THROUGHOUT THE BRAKE SYSTEM. EXAMINATION OF THE RAKE SYSTEM DID NOT REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES.  THE PILOT STATED HE ACCOMPLISHED A BRAKE CHECK PRIOR TO TAKEOFF AND DID NOT OBSERVE ANY MALFUNCTION.  THE AIRPLANE WAS OPERATED 153 HOURS SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION 11 MONTHS EARLIER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N93766 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1423R
- Airframe hours: 1344
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pat Andrews
- Registered owner: Pat Andrews
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1991, 153 hours before
- Departed: 44B
- Destination: 3B1, GREENVILLE, ME
- Airport: 44B, Dover/Foxcroft, runway 27, 2,400 × 90 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 26,100 total, 85 in this make and model, 2,400 as pilot in command, 330 in the last 90 days, 105 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19920903053749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920903053749A), Sep 3, 1992: Cessna 185, Dover/Foxcroft, ME, Substantial damage. Veered on applying power on touch and go. Unable correct due weak brake. No fluid in brake. No leaks found.

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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