# NTSB LAX05CA287: Cessna A185E, N1644M, San Andreas, CA, September 1, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 1, 2005, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: San Andreas, CA - Coordinates: 38.14611, -120.648056 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1461&lon=-120.6481&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62397 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA287 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62397/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA287 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane upon encountering a dust devil during the takeoff roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - dust devil/whirlwind - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis The airplane encountered a dust devil during the takeoff ground roll, then it veered off the runway, and collided with a berm. About 600 feet into the takeoff ground roll the airplane veered to the left and continued in that direction even with the pilot's counteractive control input. During the event, the pilot reduced the power, the right main landing gear sheared off, and the airplane came to rest on the right wing and horizontal stabilizer. Witnesses informed the pilot that they observed a dust devil approach the airplane during takeoff roll. The pilot reported experiencing no anomalies with the airframe or engine prior to the event. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 2005 at 1615 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna A185E airplane, N1644M, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during the takeoff roll at the Calaveras County Airport, San Andreas, California. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. The pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the local flight. The flight was departing at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, the airplane was 600 feet down the 3,603-foot-runway (runway 31) when the airplane encountered a dust devil. The airplane veered to the left, and the pilot added full right rudder to counteract the left movement. The airplane was thrust left and upward onto the left wing. The pilot reduced power and then the right main landing gear impacted an earthen berm and sheared the landing gear. The airplane came to rest on the right wing, engine cowling, and right horizontal stabilizer (all of which were structurally damage). Witnesses approached the pilot following the accident and informed him they observed a dust devil approach the airplane during the takeoff roll. The pilot indicated that there were no anomalies with the airframe or the engine prior to the event. The pilot reported accumulating a total of 1,200 hours of flight time, of which 300 hours were accumulated in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1644M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1644M), registered now, S/N 18501847, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna A185E - Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18501847 - Engines: Continental IO-520D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Casey M. Long - Registered owner: Skyline Holdings, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CPU, San Andreas, CA - Airport: CPU, Calaveras County, runway 31, 3,603 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,200 total, 300 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: SCK 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.