# NTSB CHI92LA214: Cessna A185E, N4573F, Cadillac, MI, July 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1992, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Cadillac, MI
- Coordinates: 44.239936, -85.410575 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2399&lon=-85.4106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15500
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15500/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA214

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFTOFF AND SUBSEQUENT STALL MUSH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FLOAT-MOUNTED AIRPLANE HAD NO WHEELS.  THE AIRPLANE WAS PLACED ON A TRAILER AND TOWED DOWN A 2000-FOOT RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF.  THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF THE TRAILER, EASED RIGHT, AND SETTLED TO THE RUNWAY.  IT BOUNCED, ROCKED FORWARD, AND TUMBLED.  THE AIRPORT HAS A 4500-FOOT ASPHALT RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4573F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4573F), registered now, S/N 185-1080, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185E
- Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-1080
- Airframe hours: 1451
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Schmerheim, Randall G.
- Registered owner: Schmerheim, Randall G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 1992, 24 hours before
- Departed: CAD
- Destination: NONE, SAPPHIRE LAKE, MI
- Airport: CAD, Wexford County, runway 36, 2,005 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,800 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 7,705 as pilot in command, 225 in the last 90 days, 99 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAD, 1 nm away

## 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 19920729028039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920729028039A), Jul 29, 1992: Cessna A185E, Cadillac, MI, Substantial damage. Tried to lift floatplane off a trailer being towed by pickup. Lifted premature. Wing hit ground. Aircraft tumbled.

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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