# NTSB NYC91LA173: Cessna A185F, N185GS, Vernon, OH, July 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1991, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Vernon, OH
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36958
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36958/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA173

## Probable cause

THE PILOT ROTATED THE AIRPLANE PREMATURELY AND CONTINUED THE CLIMB AT A DECK ANGLE THAT EVENTUALLY RESULTED IN A STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S COMPLACENCY, FAILURE TO DETERMINE THE AIRPLANE'S PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES PRIOR TO TAKE OFF AND HE TOOK OFF UP HILL WITH A QUARTERING TAIL WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - aircraft weight and balance - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotation - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF ON A 2400 FEET GRASS RUNWAY WITH THE GRASS 3 TO 4 INCHES HIGH AND A SLIGHT UPHILL INCLINE.  THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS 82 DEGREES F AND THE WINDS WERE 010 AT 7 KNOTS.  THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON A HEADING OF 270 DEGREES WITH 30 DEGREES OF FLAPS, 30 GALLONS OF FUEL AND 3 OCCUPANTS WEIGHING A TOTAL OF 432 LBS.  THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF AT 45 KNOTS, CLIMBED SLOWLY, WITH THE LANDING GEAR DOWN.  AT 200 FEET THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AND STRUCK TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N185GS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N185GS-1994-06-24), registration cancelled 1994-06-24, S/N 18503970 (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: 18503970
- Airframe hours: 2076
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George H. Siegel
- Registered owner: George H. Siegel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1991, 20 hours before
- Departed: O2G, COLUMBUS, OH
- Destination: NONE, ARROW HEAD, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 79 °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 19910721028909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910721028909A), Jul 21, 1991: Cessna A185F, Vernon, OH, Destroyed. Unable to climb after takeoff. Stall horn on nosed down to gain speed. Struck trees. Density altitude uphill factors

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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