# NTSB DEN85LA081: Cessna A185F, N1169Q, Rifle, CO, February 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1985, 17:45 local (Feb 20, 1985, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Rifle, CO
- Coordinates: 39.530838, -107.769767 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5308&lon=-107.7698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16638
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16638/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA081

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snowbank
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD BEEN PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS WITH WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A SLIGHT 90 DEG X-WIND. DURING THE FINAL LANDING, THE PLT REPORTED, THE RIGHT WING ROSE AND THE LEFT WING DROPPED CONTACTING THE GROUND. HE WAS ABLE TO LEVEL THE ACFT AND INITIATE AN ABORTED LANDING, HOWEVER, THE ACFT CONTACTED A SNOW BANK ALONG THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1169Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1169Q), registered now, S/N 18503466, built 1977 (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: 18503466
- Airframe hours: 474
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Allan B. Duckworth
- Registered owner: Barry F. Hicks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1984, 33 hours before
- Departed: RIL
- Airport: RIL, Garfield  County, runway 8, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 412 total, 23 in this make and model, 322 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIL

## 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 19850219005349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850219005349A), Feb 19, 1985: Cessna A185F, Rifle, CO, Substantial damage. During landing, wind picked up right wing, aircraft veered left, tried to go around but hit snowbank on runway edge

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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