# NTSB DEN92LA058: Cessna 185, N9823X, Durango, CO, June 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1992, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.26934, -107.879035 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2693&lon=-107.8790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18214
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18214/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA058

## Probable cause

IMPROPER USE OF BRAKES.  FACTORS WERE:  POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND EXCESSIVE LANDING SPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE APPROACH WAS MADE TO THE SOUTH WITH 20 DEGREES FLAP DEPLOYED.  THE AIRPLANE WAS HIGH AND FULL FLAPS WERE EXTENDED.  THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON ITS MAIN WHEELS AT AN EXCESSIVE RATE OF SPEED.  THE PILOT APPLIED BRAKES, THE MAIN WHEELS LOCKED, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9823X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9823X), registered now, S/N 185-0023, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1850023
- Airframe hours: 2180
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Heath, Jack L.
- Registered owner: Heath, Jack L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1991, 46 hours before
- Departed: 5V9, ARBOLES, CO
- Destination: CD82
- Airport: CD82, Val Air Gliderport, runway 17, 3,000 × 125 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 851 total, 400 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRO, 14 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 19920613019979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920613019979A), Jun 13, 1992: Cessna 185, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. High and fast. Landed long. Hit brakes hard to prevent overrun. Locked mains and flipped over.

## Other investigations on N9823X (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 DEN99LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA045), Mar 1, 1999: Cessna 185 (N9823X), Durango, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and inadvertently allowing the airplane to ground loop. Factors were gusty crosswind conditions, pertinent crosswind information not made available…
- [NTSB DEN89LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA188), Aug 6, 1989: Cessna 185 (N9823X), Durango, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. THE WIND CONDITION WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

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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