# NTSB ERA11CA277: Cessna A185F, N6389E, Ocean City, NJ, May 3, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 3, 2011, 11:55 local (15:55 UTC) - Place: Ocean City, NJ - Coordinates: 39.258056, -74.604446 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2581&lon=-74.6044&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79025 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA277 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79025/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79025 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA277 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 75 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was attempting to take off from runway 24. Approximately 200 feet down the runway he prematurely lifted the tailwheel of his airplane and lost directional control. The airplane veered to the left, exited the runway, and struck a runway light. The right main gear separated from the airplane and the right wing collided with the ground. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The nearest airport's weather observation system reported wind from 170 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 17 knots, at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was attempting to take off from runway 24. Approximately 200 feet down the runway on takeoff roll he prematurely lifted the tail wheel of his airplane, and lost directional control. The airplane veered to the left, exited the runway and struck a runway light. The right main gear separated from the airplane, and the right wing collided with the ground. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The nearest airport's weather observation system reported wind from 170 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 17 knots at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6389E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6389E-2016-05-26), registration cancelled 2016-05-26, S/N 18504037, built 1980 (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: 18504037 - Airframe hours: 2310 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Plumbo Victor Gaston - Registered owner: Plumbo Victor Gaston - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 26N, Ocean City, NJ - Destination: 26N, Ocean City, NJ - Airport: 26N, Ocean City Municipal, runway 24, 2,973 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 2,200 total, 260 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 13 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: ACY, 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 20110503008539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110503008539A), May 3, 2011: Cessna A185F, Ocean City, NJ, Substantial damage. On take off roll pilot lifted the tail wheel prematurely causing the aircraft to veer to the left. The aircraft exited the runway to the left and struck a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79025. 15 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 7 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348394&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-FAA statement (item 2, .PDF, 8 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348512&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-FAA%20statement-Redacted.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.