- Date
- August 19, 1996, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place
- Midland, TX
- Injuries
- 1 serious
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N61609Cessna A185F
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 23, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19960819023269A
- Case key
- 19949
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to obtain or maintain adequate airspeed, by allowing the airplane to enter an excessive nose high attitude and an excessive rate of climb after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with the terrain. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's inadequate preflight by failing to ensure proper elevator trim for takeoff.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
Witnesses stated that the airplane became airborne after a short takeoff roll and lifted of before reaching taxiway 'F.' They added that the airplane was established in a very steep climb attitude, as soon as it became airborne. Subsequently, it nosed down and impacted on the west edge of runway 16R, between taxiway 'F' and runway 10. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that the elevator trim was in the full nose up position. The trim indicator confirmed the position of the elevator trim.
Factual narrative
On August 19, 1996, at 1220 central daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N61609, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff near Midland, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by Econorex Systems Inc., of Belton, Missouri. The instrument rated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured. The business flight was conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned cross country flight for which a flight plan was not filed.
According to authorities at the Midland International Airport, the airplane arrived at approximately 1250 and taxied to an FBO to refuel. After refueling, the airplane was cleared for takeoff from runway 16R at 1304. Witnesses at the airport stated that the airplane made a short takeoff roll and became airborne prior to reaching taxiway "F."
Witnesses added that the airplane established "a very steep climb attitude as soon as it became airborne, and subsequently nosed down" onto the west edge of runway 16R, between taxiway "F" and runway 10.
Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed that the elevator trim was in the full nose up position. The trim indicator confirmed the position of the elevator trim.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N61609
- Reported as
- Cessna A185F
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18504235
- Airframe hours
- 1,526
- Engine
- Continental IO-520-D3B, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Econorex Systems Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · October 13, 1995 · 83 hours before
- Departed
- MAF
- Destination
- E38 · Alpine, TX
- Airport
- MAF · Midland International, runway 16R, 9,501 × 150 ft, concrete
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 64
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine sea, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 3,652 total · 3,150 in this make and model · 36 in the last 90 days · 15 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 160° at 13 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 90 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- MAF, 1 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.
Other investigations on N61609 · 3
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.