# NTSB FTW94LA040: Cessna A185F, N6613N, Maybell, CO, November 30, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 1993, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Maybell, CO
- Coordinates: 40.669658, -108.50933 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6697&lon=-108.5093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18971
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18971/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA040

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASCERTAIN THE CONDITION OF THE LANDING AREA. THE SNOW COVERED CONDITION OF THE RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE ENCOUNTERED ROUGH AIR WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, 'ALMOST LIKE WIND SHEAR,' BUT HE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN, ROLLED A SHORT DISTANCE, THEN NOSED OVER. THE PILOT THEN DISCOVERED THE RUNWAY WAS COVERED WITH SEVEN TO EIGHT INCHES OF 'VERY WET, HEAVY, AND CRUSTY' SNOW.

## Factual narrative

On November 30, 1993, at approximately 1400 mountain standard time, N6613N, a Cessna A185F, was substantially damaged during landing at a private airstrip, located about 33 miles west of Maybell, Colorado.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the business flight.

The following is based on information provided by the pilot in his Pilot/Operator report.  During the initial part of the approach, the air was turbulent and as the aircraft was flared for landing, it encountered "rough air...almost like wind shear."  He was able to maintain control and the airplane touched down on the runway.  After a short landing roll, the airplane nosed over.

After the accident, the pilot discovered the runway was covered with seven to eight inches of "very wet, heavy, and crusty" snow.  He wrote, "I figure the heavy snow was the main factor in causing the plane to flip over."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6613N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6613N), registered now, S/N 18504312, built 1981 (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: 185-04312
- Airframe hours: 1627
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Treece, Jack M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1993, 11 hours before
- Departed: NONE, FRUITA, CO
- Airport: NONE, Split Rock Ranch, runway 18, 3,000 × 90 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,113 total, 1,560 in this make and model, 3,680 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19931130045349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931130045349A), Nov 30, 1993: Cessna A185F, Maybell, CO, Substantial damage. Turbulence on landing apparently distracted pilot that he was landing in 8 inches of snow on the runway. Nosed over

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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