- Date
- May 12, 1991, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place
- New Hanover, PA
- Injuries
- 6 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N26792Cessna 185C
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report March 31, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Case key
- 36924
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The loss of directional control by the pilot during a crosswind takeoff and subsequent collision with rough terrain. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in this make and model airplane.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
During the takeoff on runway 31, the pilot did not maintain directional control, because of the cross wind from the left. The airplane exited the grass runway and struck a ditch. The pilot had 12.6 hours total flight time in the Cessna 185C. The wind was reported to be from 200 to 220 degrees at 12 knots.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N26792
- Reported as
- Cessna 185C
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 1850679
- Engine
- Continental IO-520-D, 285 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 91
- Operator
- John M. Ronalter
- Registered owner
- John M. Ronalter
- Last inspection
- Unknown · January 2, 2000
- Airport
- N62 · New Hanover, runway 31, 2,455 × 100 ft, grass/turf
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 53
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Flight hours
- 610 total · 13 in this make and model · 77 in the last 90 days · 47 in the last 30 days · 6 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Variable at 12 knots
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None