# NTSB FTW87LA081: Cessna 185A, N3306R, Midland, TX, March 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1987, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Midland, TX
- Location: 31.9973° N, 102.0779° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Midland, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9973&lon=-102.0779&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22341
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22341/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA081

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKE OFF, THE AIRCRAFTS ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING IN A ROUGH UNEVEN FIELD, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING SPAR, LEFT MAIN GEAR, AND LEFT ELEVATOR.  THE PILOT DID NOT HOLD A CERTIFICATE/RTATING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3306R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3306R-2011-02-22), registration cancelled 2011-02-22, S/N 18502870, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185A
- 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: 18502870
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James K. Windham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MIDLAND, TX
- Airport: Windham Ranch Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19870313007359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870313007359A), Mar 13, 1987: Cessna A185F, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. The engine failed shortly after takeoff. Pilot held an expired student medical certificate.

## Other investigations on N3306R (1)

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 ANC07LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07LA100), Aug 10, 2007: Cessna 185 (N3306R), Pedro Bay, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of control during the landing roll for an unknown reason.

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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