# NTSB DEN84FA294: Cessna A185F, Fort Peck, MT, September 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1984, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Peck, MT
- Coordinates: 47.999794, -106.440223 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9998&lon=-106.4402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16241
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA294
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16241/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA294

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - water,rough
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

PLT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A CALM PART OF RESERVOIR. THE WAVE HEIGHTS WERE ESTIMATED TO BE 4 TO 6 FEET. THE ARFT STRUCK SEVERAL WAVES DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN. THE RT WING TIP DRAGGED IN THE WATER CAUSING THE ACFT TO NOSE OVER. THE ACFT CAME TO REST INVERTED, PARTIALLY SUBMERGED. THE PLT PULLED HIS SON AND DAUGHTER FROM THE ACFT BEFORE HE DROWNED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGZWQ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-03506
- Airframe hours: 2131
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Anthony R. Baron
- Registered owner: Sally Williams Young Air Serv
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 18, 1984, 50 hours before
- Destination: MSO, MISSOULA, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 786 total, 786 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 25 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GGW, 10 nm away

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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