# NTSB GAA19CA320: Cessna A185, N484RF, Ashland, ME, June 7, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 7, 2019, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Ashland, ME - Coordinates: 46.661109, -68.389442 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6611&lon=-68.3894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99575 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA320 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99575/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99575 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA320 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a tree. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a private dirt airstrip which had a 3% uphill slope and was crowned in the center of the track, he struggled to correct for torque, P-factor, and crosswind, and the airplane veered left. He was able to correct to the right and continued the takeoff roll. The airplane again veered left, and the left wing struck a tree. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and briefly ascended before descending into brush and coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during takeoff from a private dirt airstrip which had a 3% uphill slope and was crowned in the center of the track, he struggled to correct for torque and P-factor and crosswind, and the airplane veered left. He was able to correct to the right and continued the takeoff roll. The airplane again veered to the left side of the airstrip and the left wing struck a tree. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and briefly ascended before descending into the brush where it came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. Additionally, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented had he aborted the takeoff sooner. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was variable at 10 to 15 knots. The nearest Meteorological Aerodrome Report at the airport 14 miles to the east, reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 7 knots. The pilot used runway 34. ## Aircraft - Registration: N484RF (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna A185 (F) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18504000 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 6614.6 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Varney Aviation Llc - Registered owner: Varney Aviation Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 2018 - Departed: 59B, Jackman, ME - Destination: 59B, Jackman, ME - Airport: PVT, Private - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2018; seat: left; flight hours: 431 total, 380 in this make and model, 245 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: KPQI, 14 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 20190607006109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190607006109A), Jun 7, 2019: Cessna A185F, St. Francis, ME, Substantial damage. On June 7, 2019 at 15:00 local time, N484RF was operating from a dirt landing strip in remote north western Maine. The departure runway is not charted on… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 18, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99575. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476809&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record (item 2, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476810&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 198 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476811&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.