# NTSB CHI08CA278: Cessna 185, N80MW, Newberry, MI, September 5, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 5, 2008, 17:38 local (21:38 UTC)
- Place: Newberry, MI
- Coordinates: 46.32722, -85.488334
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3272&lon=-85.4883&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68986
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA278
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68986/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA278

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wires on approach. Contributing to the accident was the sunshine, as reported by the pilot.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that she was making a straight in visual flight rules (VFR) approach into an uncontrolled airport. The wind was from the west and she was heading toward the runway with the sun directly in her eyes. She thought she was on the final approach for the runway when the airplane hit electrical wires that were approximately 80 feet high. The pilot reported she added power and was able to climb to a safe altitude. She located the intended runway and landed the airplane without incident. The inspection of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that she was making a straight-in visual-flight-rules approach into an uncontrolled airport, where she was heading toward the runway with the sun directly in her eyes. She thought she was on the final approach for the runway when the airplane hit electrical wires that were approximately 80 feet high. The pilot reported that she added power and was able to climb to a safe altitude. She located the intended runway and landed the airplane without incident. The inspection of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80MW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N80MW), registered now, S/N 18503092, built 1976 (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: 18503092
- Engines: Continental IO-520 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas B. Prior
- Registered owner: Thomas B. Prior
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ANJ, Sault Ste Marie, MI
- Destination: Newberry, MI
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 337 total, 218 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk

## 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 20080905846389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080905846389A), Sep 5, 2008: Cessna 185, Newberry, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft enroute from anj to ery on approach to ery, pilot mistook an industrial area road as the airport and descended into high tension power lines…

## Other investigations on N80MW (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 FTW80DRD48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80DRD48), Jul 16, 1980: Cessna 185 (N80MW), Chauvin, LA, substantial damage

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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