# NTSB LAX90LA064: Cessna 185, N9816X, Agua Dulce, CA, January 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1990, 16:25 local (Jan 6, 1990, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Agua Dulce, CA
- Coordinates: 34.430999, -118.509201 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4310&lon=-118.5092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26715
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26715/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA064

## Probable cause

PILOT'S IMPROPER WEATHER EVALUATION WHICH DIRECTLY LED TO HIS ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF IN AN EXCESSIVE TAILWIND AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE UNSUCCESSFUL ABORT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Nose over, takeoff - aborted
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command
  - aborted takeoff - attempted, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF IN A TAILWIND CONDITION. THE PILOT DID NOT OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR THE LOCAL FLT. THE PILOT TOOK OFF DOWNWIND, ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IT FLIPPED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. IT WAS NOT DETERMINED IF THE PILOT SECURED THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE FROM THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9816X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9816X-1990-12-17), registration cancelled 1990-12-17, S/N 1850016 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1850016
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brolin, James
- Departed: L70
- Destination: L70
- Airport: L70, Agua Duce, runway 4, 4,525 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 40 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900105000229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900105000229A), Jan 5, 1990: Cessna 185, Agua Dulce, CA, Destroyed. Attempted downwind takeoff,saw error,hit brakes and nosed over. Wind gusting to 50 knots.

## Other investigations on N9816X (1)

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 ANC69A0065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69A0065), Jun 14, 1969: Cessna 185 (N9816X), Kipnuk, AK, no damage

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.

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