# NTSB DEN90LA134: Cessna A185F, N8389Q, Erie, CO, June 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1990, 15:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Erie, CO
- Coordinates: 40.020374, -105.039634 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0204&lon=-105.0396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17951
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17951/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA134

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION TO CHOOSE SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CFI'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - object - other

## Analysis

THE ATP-RATED CHECK PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS EVALUATING A COMMERCIAL PILOT FOR AIRCRAFT RENTAL AND INSURANCE PURPOSES. BOTH PILOTS WERE WELL EXPERIENCED IN THE AIRPLANE. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE ON GRASS BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND TAXIWAY. DURING THE ROLLOUT, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK A LARGE ROCK AND SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE LEFT WING AND PROPELLER STRUCK THE GROUND, AND THE AIRPLANE SLID 300 FEET BEFORE TURNING 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT AND COMING TO A HALT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8389Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8389Q-2003-05-28), registration cancelled 2003-05-28, S/N 18503678, built 1978 (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: 18503678
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Galloway, Daryl, Benton
- Departed: 2V2, LONGMONT, CO
- Airport: 48V, Tri-County, runway 15, 5,400 × 65 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,900 total, 500 in this make and model, 4,200 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900613020079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900613020079A), Jun 13, 1990: Cessna A185F, Erie, CO, Substantial damage. Landed on grass parallel to runway on check flight. Impact separated left main gear.

## Other investigations on N8389Q (3)

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.

- [NTSB FTW95LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA073), Dec 23, 1994: Cessna A185F (N8389Q), Erie, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED RESULTING IN THE INADVERTENT STALL.
- [NTSB DEN88LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA105), Apr 30, 1988: Cessna 185F (N8389Q), Erie, CO, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN80FTE20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FTE20), Jan 17, 1980: Cessna A185F (N8389Q), Colorado Spgs, CO, substantial damage

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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