# NTSB SEA06CA176: Cessna 185, N477G, Cove, OR, July 24, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 24, 2006, 07:55 local (14:55 UTC) - Place: Cove, OR - Coordinates: 45.358055, -117.634162 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3581&lon=-117.6342&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 64480 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64480/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA176 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Factors include wet grass and trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis In a written statement the pilot reported, "About 500 ft. down the runway was a dogleg to the right. I had lined up somewhat to the left in order to mitigate the turn to the right. At approximately 40 miles [per] hour the aircraft started drifting toward the left on the wet grass. There didn't seem to be any rudder control and there was absolutely no braking on the wet grass. I pulled off the power and I was standing on the right brake when the left wing contacted some small brush and aspen trees." The Minam Lodge Airport (7OR0) is located in mountainous terrain in the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area. The airport elevation is 3,589 feet above sea level, and has a single turf runway. The runway is 2,000 feet long and 40 feet wide. ## Factual narrative On July 24, 2006, about 0755 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 185, N477G, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff at the Minam Lodge Airstrip, Cove, Oregon. The airplane was registered to the pilot and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airline transport pilot and the one passenger aboard the airplane were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot's planned destination was McCall, Idaho. No flight plan had been filed. In a written statement dated September 9, the pilot reported, "About 500 ft. down the runway was a dogleg to the right. I had lined up somewhat to the left in order to mitigate the turn to the right. At approximately 40 miles an [per] hour the aircraft started drifting toward the left on the wet grass. There didn't seem to be any rudder control and there was absolutely no braking on the wet grass. I pulled off the power and I was standing on the right brake when the left wing contacted some small brush and aspen trees." The Minam Lodge Airport (7OR0) is located in mountainous terrain in the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area. The airport elevation is 3,589 feet above sea level, and has a single turf runway. The runway is 2,000 feet long and 40 feet wide. ## Aircraft - Registration: N477G (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18504244 - Engines: Continental IO-520 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Tim Whitney - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Cove, OR - Destination: MYL, MC CALL, ID - Airport: 7OR0, Minam Lodge, runway N, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; seat: left; flight hours: 16,052 total, 890 in this make and model, 47 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20060724017859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060724017859A), Jul 24, 2006: Cessna A185F, Cove, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Backcountry airport, grass covered and wet with dew plus has a bend (dog leg) in the runway about halfway down the departure path. As the aircraft came… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.