# NTSB NYC89LA199: Cessna A185F, N4840C, Deer Isle, ME, August 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1989, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Deer Isle, ME
- Location: 44.2240° N, 68.6775° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Deer Isle, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2240&lon=-68.6775&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36466
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36466/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA199

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT IN DETERMINING THE ADEQUACY OF THE TAKEOFF ENVIRONMENT UNDER THE EXISTING ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE FLOAT EQUIPPED CESSNA TOOK OFF FROM A NARROW LAKE WITH STRONG GUSTY CROSSWINDS. ONCE AIRBORNE THE PILOT DECIDED TO ABORT DUE TO AN INADEQUATE CLIMB RATE TO CLEAR THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN. HE RAN OUT OF WATER & CRASHED INTO TREES ON THE SHORELINE. WIND GUSTING 28 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4840C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4840C-1990-08-23), registration cancelled 1990-08-23, S/N 18502608 (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: 18502608
- Airframe hours: 820
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John H. Reid
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1989
- Destination: CRANLAND, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 19 knots, gusting 28
- 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 19890825031829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890825031829A), Aug 25, 1989: Cessna A185F, Deer Isle, ME, Destroyed. Tried water takeoff with strong crosswind. Aborted but ran up on shore into trees and burned.

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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