# NTSB NYC06CA065: Cessna A185F, N7574N, Pembroke, MA, January 29, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 29, 2006, 09:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Pembroke, MA
- Coordinates: 42.068332, -70.798057
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0683&lon=-70.7981&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63166
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63166/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA065

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground loop and subsequent impact with trees.  A factor was the soft runway as reported by the pilot.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot initiated a takeoff on a 1,500-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, turf runway.  During the takeoff roll, as the tailwheel started to liftoff, the left main landing gear traveled over a soft spot on the runway.  The airplane then ground looped to the left, struck trees, and came to rest.

## Factual narrative

The pilot initiated a takeoff on a 1,500-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, turf runway.  During the takeoff roll, as the tailwheel started to liftoff, the left main landing gear traveled over a soft spot on the runway.  The airplane then ground looped to the left, struck trees, and came to rest.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7574N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7574N), registered now, S/N 18504326, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna A185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520-D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-d) (registry code 17236, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18504326
- Engines: Continental IO-520 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Carrara
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MA63, Pembroke, MA
- Airport: MA63, Sherman Airport, runway 360, 1,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 2,645 total, 1,685 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: PYM, 10 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 20060129001099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060129001099A), Jan 29, 2006: Cessna A185F, Pembroke, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) On January 29, 2006, inspector [privacy data omitted] and I conducted an accident investigation located at a private strip in Pembroke, MA. The pilot…

## Other investigations on N7574N (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 ERA26FA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA115), Feb 15, 2026: Cessna A185 (N7574N), Everglades City, FL, substantial damage, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing
- [NTSB CEN21LA406](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA406), Sep 6, 2021: Cessna A185F (N7574N), Kingsley, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of an unsecured fuel bladder, which reduced the fuel capacity of the affected tank.

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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