# NTSB DEN03LA135: Cessna A185F, N60VA, Angel Fire, NM, July 22, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 2003, 10:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Angel Fire, NM - Coordinates: 36.423053, -105.294441 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4231&lon=-105.2944&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Albuquerque FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57558 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57558/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA135 ## Probable cause the instructor's inadequate supervision which resulted in the pilot's loss of directional control and the subsequent impact with the ditch. Contributing factors include the instructor's inadequate remedial action and the inadvertent ground loop/swerve. ## 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 - directional control - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The instructor stated that this was a "re-familiarization" flight for the pilot and that the pilot also wanted a better understanding of flying in and around the airport. With the private pilot at the controls, they entered the traffic pattern and set up for a touch-and-go landing on runway 17. The landing was uneventful, and the pilot slowed the airplane down to approximately 10 to 15 knots. When the pilot added power for take-off, the airplane swerved to the left and the airplane's left main landing gear departed the left side of the runway. As the pilot applied rudder and aileron control to recover, the airplane veered to the right across the runway. When the airplane departed the right side of the runway, the instructor called out "I've got it." The airplane ground-looped to the right and struck a ditch between the runway and taxiway. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 2003, at 1050 mountain daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N60VA, operated by JAMBRO INC., was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a touch-and-go landing at Angel Fire Airport (AXX), Angel Fire, New Mexico. The airline transport certificated instructor, and a private pilot receiving instruction, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for this instructional flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Santa Fe, New Mexico, at approximately 0940. The instructor stated that this was a "re-familiarization" flight for the pilot and that the pilot also wanted a better understanding of flying in and around Angel Fire. With the private pilot at the controls, they entered the traffic pattern and set up for a touch-and-go landing on runway 17. The landing was uneventful, and the pilot slowed the airplane down to approximately 10 to 15 knots. When the pilot added power for take-off, the airplane swerved to the left and the airplane's left main landing gear departed the left side of the runway. As the pilot applied rudder and aileron control to recover, the airplane veered to the right across the runway. When the airplane departed the right side of the runway, the instructor called out "I've got it." The airplane ground-looped to the right and struck a ditch between the runway and taxiway. The airplane's left main landing gear collapsed inward, the engine mount was displaced, the firewall was buckled, and the outboard 3 feet of the left wing was bent upward approximately 30 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60VA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N60VA), registered now, S/N 18503141, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna A185F - 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: 18503141 - Airframe hours: 2350.7 - Engines: Continental IO 520D 315 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jambro Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 2003, 2.2 hours before - Departed: SAF, Sante Fe, NM - Destination: AXX, Angel Fire, NM - Airport: AXX, Angel Fire, runway 17, 8,900 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 1, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 2,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command - Pilot; injuries: none ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 2 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °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 20030722021469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030722021469A), Jul 22, 2003: Cessna A185F, Angel Fire, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 23, 2003 at 1050 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 185F, N60VA, operated by jambro inc., was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during… 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. --- 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.