# NTSB DEN85LA184: Cessna A188B, N731GN, Del Norte, CO, July 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1985, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Del Norte, CO
- Coordinates: 37.669666, -106.349472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6697&lon=-106.3495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16721
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16721/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA184

## 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
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF FROM A 3800-FT GRASS RWY. FIELD ELEVATION WAS 7700 FT, TEMP WAS 88 DEG. THE PLT SAID THAT AT ABOUT 2500 FT DOWN THE RWY HE DECIDED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRPLANE GROUNDLOOPED. THE PLT SAID THAT TAKEOFF WAS DOWNWIND AND HE HAD ENCOUNTERED A GUST. ACFT PERFORMANCE FIGURES INDICATE THAT THE AIRPLANE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCELERATED TO TAKEOFF SPEED AND BE BRAKED TO A STOP IN THE AMOUNT OF RUNWWAY AVAILABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N731GN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731GN-1995-10-25), registration cancelled 1995-10-25, S/N 18802886T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18802886T
- Airframe hours: 2449
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charlie'S Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1985
- Airport: Del Norte

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 16,000 total, 16,000 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALS, 28 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 19850705030189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850705030189A), Jul 5, 1985: Cessna A188B, Del Norte, CO, Substantial damage. Groundlooped after aborting takeoff. Density altitude was 10683 and tailwind existed on grass runway.

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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