# NTSB DEN91LA123: Cessna A185F, N93272, Conchas Dam, NM, September 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1991, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Conchas Dam, NM
- Coordinates: 35.28981, -104.190399 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2898&lon=-104.1904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18131
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18131/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA123

## Probable cause

LANDING GEAR LOCKING MECHANISM LOOSE, LANDING GEAR WHEEL DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY, AND MAINTENANCE ALIGNMENT NOT PERFORMED.  FACTORS WERE: PROPELLER GOVERNOR UNDERSPEED, MAINTENANCE ADJUSTMENT NOT CORRECTED, AND LOWERING OF FLAPS NOT PERFORMED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - loose (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,wheel - deployed inadvertently (cause)
  - water loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - propeller governor control - underspeed (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,adjustment - not corrected, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,alignment - not performed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WATERLOOPED DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN AFTER NEARLY WATERLOOPING ON THE PREVIOUS LANDING.  POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THE LANDING GEAR CABLE WAS IMPROPERLY RIGGED, ALLOWING THE LEFT AFT PONTOON WHEEL TO DEPLOY. MAXIMUM RPM COULD NOT BE ATTAINED BECAUSE THE PROPELLER GOVERNOR WAS NOT PROPERLY ADJUSTED.  A REVIEW OF THE ACCIDENT VIDEO TAPE REVEALED AIRCRAFT HAD ATTAINED SUFFICIENT FLYING SPEED.  PILOT DID NOT DEPLOY TAKEOFF FLAPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93272](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93272), registered now, S/N 18503206, built 1976 (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: 18503206
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ralph A. Hassall
- Registered owner: Ralph A. Hassall
- Destination: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Airport: E61, Conchas Lake Spb

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 199 total, 75 in this make and model, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 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 19910902040669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910902040669A), Sep 2, 1991: Cessna A185F, Conchas Dam, NM, Substantial damage. Left main gear apparently dropped out of float on takeoff run. Dipped wing. Tore aileron. Taxied back to dock.

## Other investigations on N93272 (2)

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 SEA78DYE24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DYE24), May 27, 1978: Cessna 185F (N93272), Arlington, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA78DYE22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DYE22), May 3, 1978: Cessna 185F (N93272), Arlington, WA, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.