# NTSB GAA16CA503: Cessna 185, N5892T, Fairbanks, AK, September 22, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 21, 2016, 17:45 local (Sep 22, 2016, 01:45 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 63.482776, -146.284729 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.4828&lon=-146.2847&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - NTSB case key (mKey): 94064 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA503 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94064/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94064 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA503 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to recognize he was taking off with a tailwind and his inadequate compensation for taking off with a tailwind, which led to the airplane’s failure to attain a climb and a subsequent forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he and his passenger waited most of the day for the 30-knot wind to subside before departing the 1,200-ft-long dirt and grass airstrip. He reported that the wind velocity had decreased to 10 knots and that he had calculated that, with the 10-knot headwind, the airplane would rotate about 700 ft down the runway. The pilot monitored the wind via ribbons placed at various locations around the airstrip. During takeoff, the airplane rotated about 700 ft down the runway and climbed to about 8 ft above the ground. The pilot stated that it "then it felt like we lost our lift." The pilot recalled that there wasn't enough runway remaining to land and that there was a brush-covered bank at the departure end of the runway. The airplane started to settle to the ground, and although operating at full power and on the cusp of a stall, they cleared the bank. Beyond the bank, the pilot landed the airplane on a short sand bar, but the airplane overran the sand bar and impacted several large rocks. After exiting the airplane, the pilot noticed that he had departed with an 8- to 10-knot tailwind. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing strut, the aileron, the horizontal stabilizer and the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have prevented normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he and his passenger waited for the majority of the day for the 30-knot wind to subside before departing the 1,200-ft. dirt and grass airstrip. He reported that the wind velocity had decreased to 10 knots and that he had calculated that with the 10-knot headwind, the airplane would rotate about 700 feet down the runway. The pilot monitored the wind via ribbons placed at various locations around the airstrip. He reported that during takeoff the airplane rotated about 700 feet down the runway, and climbed to about 8 feet above the ground; "then it felt like we lost our lift". The pilot recalled that there wasn't enough runway remaining to land, and there was a brush covered bank at the departure end of the runway. He reported that the airplane started to settle to the ground, and although operating at full power and on the cusp of a stall, they cleared the bank. Beyond the bank, the pilot landed the airplane on a short sand bar, but the airplane overran the sand bar and impacted several large rocks. The pilot reported that after exiting the airplane, he noticed that he had departed with an 8-10 knot tailwind. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing strut, the aileron, the horizontal stabilizer and the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have prevented normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5892T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5892T), registered now, S/N 185-0792, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 185 (D) - Registry model: [Cessna 185D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185d) (registry code 2072812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 185-0792 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 5916.3 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470F 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 2016 - Departed: PVT, Delta Junction, AK - Destination: PVT, Delta Junction, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, waiver time limited special; last flight review June 15, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,064 total, 44 in this make and model, 2,779.1 as pilot in command, 295 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20160921019499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160921019499A), Sep 21, 2016: Cessna 185D, Delta Creek, AK, Substantial damage. PIC stated that planned flight was delayed due to high winds in area. At 1800 hrs (l) departed Bennett airstrip. PIC stated aircraft was airborne at approx… ## Other investigations on N5892T (2) 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 ANC98LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA106), Jul 23, 1998: Cessna 185 (N5892T), Kenai, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. - [NTSB ANC66A0042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC66A0042), May 2, 1966: Cessna 185 (N5892T), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 22, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94064. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450171&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 226 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450172&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.