# NTSB ERA10LA389: Cessna A185F, N4976E, Newfane, NY, August 1, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 2010, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Newfane, NY - Coordinates: 43.252777, -78.768333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2528&lon=-78.7683&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 5 minor - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Cessna Aircraft Company, FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76810 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA389 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76810/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76810 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA389 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to his diverted attention, which resulted in a collision with trees during the initial climb after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the passenger's attempt to secure the jump door after it opened during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Doors: passenger/crew doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md) - [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was departing for a skydiving flight. During rotation, the jump door opened, which was located on the right side of the airplane. The pilot said that he was not concerned with the door, which would not have critically impacted the airplane's performance; however, an experienced parachutist attempted to secure the door to the point where he was partially outside of the airplane. The pilot attempted to stop the parachutist and became distracted, which resulted in the airplane veering left toward trees while flying at a low airspeed. The airplane subsequently struck a stand of trees and impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest inverted in a wooded area, with the roof of the cabin and empennage separated. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions and the pilot reported that the airplane performed as expected, without any mechanical issues. One of the occupants noted that the jump door was checked prior to takeoff and appeared to be secured. The jump door separated during the accident and was found in the latched position. The jump door and surrounding structure were distorted due to impact damage. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 2010, about 1420 eastern daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N4976E, operated by Frontier Skydivers, Inc., was substantially damaged when it impacted trees, during the initial climb after takeoff from Hollands International Airport (85N), Newfane, New York. The certificated commercial pilot and four passengers sustained minor injuries. One passenger was killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local skydiving flight that was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he had completed seven or eight uneventful flights prior to the accident. A jump instructor was on board the accident flight, with a student and a videographer; and two additional "experienced" jumpers. The two jumpers intended to exit the airplane at an altitude of 5,000 feet, and the parachute instructor intended to conduct a tandem jump with the student from an altitude of 12,500 feet. The flight departed from runway 25, a 2,875-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, turf runway. The airplane accelerated and lifted off normally; however, during rotation the jump door opened, which was located on the right side of the airplane. The pilot said he was not concerned with the door, which would not have critically impacted the airplane's performance. One of the experienced parachutists attempted to secure the door, and the pilot yelled at him to stop. The parachutist continued to attempt to secure the door to the point where he was partially outside of the airplane. The pilot physically grabbed the parachutist and tried to pull him back into the airplane. During this time, the pilot became distracted, which resulted in the airplane veering left toward trees, while flying at a low airspeed. The airplane subsequently struck a stand of trees and impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest inverted in a wooded area, with the roof of the cabin and empennage separated. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector and a representative from the airframe manufacturer did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. In addition, the pilot reported that the airplane performed as expected, without any mechanical issues. The inspector noted that the jump door, which was hinged to open upward, was separated and in the latched position. The jump door and surrounding structure were distorted due to impact damage. The videographer noted that the door was checked prior to takeoff and appeared to be secured. The airplane had been operated for about 55 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed on July 1, 2010. The pilot reported 3,985 hours of total flight experience, which included 559 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on April 27, 2010. The reported weather at an airport located about 12 miles southwest of the accident site, at1353, was: wind from 110 degrees at 3 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; few clouds at 4,800 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 and 25,000 feet; temperature 28 degrees Celsius (C); dew point 16 degrees C; altimeter 29.98 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4976E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4976E-2011-03-02), registration cancelled 2011-03-02, S/N 18503924, built 1979 (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: 18503924 - Airframe hours: 2903 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Operator: Frontier Skydivers - Registered owner: Daystar Trading & Ventures LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2010, 54 hours before - Departed: 85N, Newfane, NY - Destination: 85N, Newfane, NY - Airport: 85N, Hollands International, runway 25, 2,875 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 3,985 total, 559 in this make and model, 3,937 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: IAG, 12 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 20100801049759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100801049759A), Aug 1, 2010: Cessna A185F, Newfane, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. During rotation at lift off on a parachuting flight, the jump door, located on the right side of the aircraft opened. The pilot was not concerned with the door… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 14, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76810. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 487 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345383&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 324 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345404&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summaries-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 3, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345384&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Accident Report Photographs (item 4, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345406&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Report%20Photographs-Master.PDF 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.