# NTSB GAA18CA106: Cessna A185, N2W, Lowman, ID, January 12, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 12, 2018, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Lowman, ID - Coordinates: 44.142501, -115.314163 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1425&lon=-115.3142&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 27, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96618 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96618/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96618 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA106 ## Probable cause The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 75 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff from a snow-covered airstrip, the left wheel encountered a "foot deep snow bank." The airplane veered left and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff on a snow-covered airstrip, the left wheel encountered a "foot deep snow bank". The airplane veered left and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2W), registered now, S/N 185-02982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185 (F) - 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: 185-02982 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 3118.6 - Engines: Continental IO-520-DI3B 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 2017 - Departed: 0U1, Lowman, ID - Destination: MAN, NAMPA, ID - Airport: 0U1, Warm Springs Creek, runway 20, 2,850 × 135 ft, snow - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 6, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 540.4 total, 40.5 in this make and model, 462 as pilot in command, 12.5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KSNT, 17 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 20180112000719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180112000719A), Jan 12, 2018: Cessna A185F, Lowman, ID, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed nampa, ID (man) January 10, 2018 with 2 family members and flew to garden valley, ID (U88). They departed garden valley, ID (U88) and headed… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 1, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96618. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460472&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 279 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460473&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 328 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460474&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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.