# NTSB FTW96LA351: Cessna A185F, N61609, Midland, TX, August 19, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 19, 1996, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Midland, TX - Location: 31.9425° N, 102.2019° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MIDLAND INTL AIR AND SPACE PORT (MAF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9425&lon=-102.2019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19949 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA351 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19949/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA351 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stabilator trim - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - climb - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61609), registered now, S/N 18504235, 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-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18504235 - Airframe hours: 1526 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19960819023269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960819023269A), Aug 19, 1996: Cessna A185F, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. Landed to refuel. Nosed up and stalled during rotation. Impacted on airport. Elevator trim full nose up position. (-23) aircraft is equipped with Continental… ## Other investigations on N61609 (3) 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 WPR11CA406](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA406), Aug 21, 2011: Cessna A185F (N61609), Polson, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. - [NTSB ANC04LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA090), Aug 8, 2004: Cessna 185F (N61609), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind during landing and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with a ditch. A factor contributing… - [NTSB ANC99FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99FA070), Jun 5, 1999: Cessna A185F (N61609), Soldotna, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The improper recovery from a bounced water landing by the pilot. Factors associated with this accident were the pilot's failure to release his seatbelt due to the obstructed location of the pilot's… 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.