# NTSB NYC84FA096: Cessna A185F, N4643C, Waitsfield, VT, March 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1984, 11:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Waitsfield, VT
- Location: 44.1835° N, 72.8343° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Waitsfield, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1835&lon=-72.8343&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35320
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35320/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA096

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - landing gear,ski assembly - improper (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING TAKEOFF. THE RWY WAS SNOW COVERED 4 TO 6 INCHES DEEP AND WAS ONLY 1800 FT LONG. THE TAKEOFF WAS ON A BEARING OF 130 DEGREES. THE WIND WAS FROM 280 DEGREES AT 14 KTS. THE SKIS ON THE ACFT HAD WHEELS PROTRUDING THROUGH AT THE MAXIMUM SETTING. DURING TAXI CONSIDERABLE POWER WAS NEEDED BECAUSE OF DRAG AND SNOW DENSITY. DURING TAKEOFF THE ACFT WAS AIRBORNE 3 TIMES. THE FLT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE TREES SO THE PLT STALLED THE ACFT INTO THETHINNEST TREE AREA. THE PLT SAID THERE WERE NO PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTIONS OF THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4643C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4643C-1984-05-23), registration cancelled 1984-05-23, S/N 18502584, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 02584
- Airframe hours: 1521
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Peter Perlee, doing business as .
- Registered owner: Stephen G. Phillips
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 29, 1983, 36 hours before
- Destination: OB6, CHATHAM, MA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Phillips Private, runway 13, 1,800 × 0 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,835 total, 24 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 280° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 12 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MPV, 12 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 19840302005209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840302005209A), Mar 2, 1984: Cessna A185F, Waitsfield, VT, Destroyed. Tried to takeoff in deep snow and downwind. Struck a fence and trees beyond runway. Failed to abort takeoff.

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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