# NTSB NYC87LA035: Cessna 185F, N9680H, Ithaca, NY, November 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1986, 19:30 local (Nov 15, 1986, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Ithaca, NY
- Coordinates: 42.440361, -76.500762 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4404&lon=-76.5008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30559
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30559/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA035

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, landing - roll
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - animal(s) (cause)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE LANDING CESSNA 185 SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING A DEER THAT WAS CROSSING THE RUNWAY AT NIGHT. THE LEFT WING TIP AND ELEVATOR CONTACTED THE RUNWAY AS THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, HOWEVER, IT WAS ABLE TO TAXI OFF THE RUNWAY WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9680H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503460
- Airframe hours: 1054
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James D. Weaver
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 8, 1985, 78 hours before
- Departed: CGS, COLLEGE PARK, MD
- Destination: ITH, ITHACA, NY
- Airport: ITH, Tompkins Co., runway 14, 5,801 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 950 total, 78 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles

## 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 19861114063039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861114063039A), Nov 14, 1986: Cessna A185F, Ithaca, NY, Substantial damage. The aircraft ground looped when the pilot swerved to avoid a deer on the runway.

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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