# NTSB NYC87FA015: Cessna 185, N61438, Greenville, ME, October 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1986, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, ME
- Location: 45.4662° N, 69.5780° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Greenville, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4662&lon=-69.5780&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30467
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30467/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA015

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded
  - compensation for wind conditions - attempted, pilot in command
  - insufficient standards/requirements,airman, company/operator mgmt
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

TH PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED CROSSWINDS OF 20 KTS GUSTING TO 30 KTS AS THE ACFT WAS COMING OFF THE STEP DURING LIFTOFF IN THE OPEN LAKE. THE ACFT'S RIGHT WING WAS FORCED DOWN, THE RIGHT FLOAT STRUCK THE WATER WHICH RESULTED IN THE RIGHT WING CONTACTING THE WATER. THE ACFT THEN CARTWHEELED, CAME TO REST INVERTED AND SANK. THE PLT AND REAR SEAT PASSENGER ESCAPED. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WAS UNABLE TO ESCAPE AND DROWNED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61438](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61438), registered now, S/N 18504189, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18504189
- Airframe hours: 2754
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Folsom Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 28, 1986, 30 hours before
- Departed: GREENVILLE, ME
- Airport: Greenville Seaplane Base, runway 30, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 842 total, 330 in this make and model, 780 as pilot in command, 171 in the last 90 days, 92 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19861015048749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861015048749A), Oct 15, 1986: Cessna A185F, Greenville, ME, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. The float equipped aircraft dragged a wing on takeoff. The pilot failed to account for crosswind out of limits.

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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