# NTSB NYC91LA131: Cessna 185C, N26792, New Hanover, PA, May 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1991, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: New Hanover, PA
- Location: 40.2979° N, 75.5813° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Hanover, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2979&lon=-75.5813&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36924
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36924/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA131

## 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

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1850679
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 53; 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

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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