# NTSB DEN87LA092: Cessna A185F, N6670N, Gillette, WY, April 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1987, 08:55 local (14:55 UTC)
- Place: Gillette, WY
- Coordinates: 44.459945, -105.700157 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4599&lon=-105.7002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17196
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17196/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA092

## 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
  - fuselage,seat - unlocked
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTS THAT JUST AFTER THE TAIL WAS RAISED ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL, HIS SEAT SLID FULL AFT ON THE RAILS. HE SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE RUDDER PEDALS AND THE ACFT SWERVED TO THE LT, GROUND LOOPED, AND NOSED OVER. THE PLT WAS NOT INJURED BUT THE PASSENGER RECEIVED A MINOR CUT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE 'PILOT SEAT RAIL FAILED TO LOCK.' EXAMINATION OF THE SEAT RAIL AND LOCKING MECHANISM AFTER THE ACDT DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF A FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6670N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18504313
- Airframe hours: 550
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles A. Rogler, doing business as Consolidated Exporters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Charles A Rogler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1986, 130 hours before
- Destination: 6S5, HAMILTON, MT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GCC, Gillette Campbell County, runway 34, 7,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,635 total, 550 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 19 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GCC

## 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 19870410009159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870410009159A), Apr 10, 1987: Cessna A185F, Gillette, WY, Substantial damage. The aircraft ground looped on takeoff roll. The pilot failed to check the seat latch and it slid full aft.

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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