# NTSB SEA07CA176: Commonwealth 185, N92827, Redlands, CA, June 22, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 22, 2007, 13:54 local (20:54 UTC) - Place: Redlands, CA - Coordinates: 34.085277, -117.146385 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0853&lon=-117.1464&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66042 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66042/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA176 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation which resulted in the airplane's lack of climb performance and subsequent collision with terrain. Contributing factors included the downdraft and the high temperature. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - weather condition - temperature,high (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - climb - not possible, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The pilot reported that he and the passenger, who was the owner of the airplane, were going for a local flight. The airplane was powered by an 85 horsepower engine and manufactured in 1946. Approximately 0.5-miles from their departure airport, the airplane suddenly began to sink so the pilot turned the airplane into the wind. The airplane began to climb and then encountered downdrafts and an excessive sink rate developed. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and force-landed the airplane in a gravel quarry. During the forced landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The temperature at the time was approximately 95 degrees Fahrenheit. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he and the passenger, who was the owner of the airplane, were going for a local flight. The airplane was powered by an 85 horsepower engine and manufactured in 1946. Approximately 0.5-miles from their departure airport, the airplane suddenly began to sink so the pilot turned the airplane into the wind. The airplane began to climb and then encountered downdrafts and an excessive sink rate developed. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and force-landed the airplane in a gravel quarry. During the forced landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The temperature at the time was approximately 95 degrees Fahrenheit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N92827](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92827), registered now, S/N 1623 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Commonwealth 185 - Registry model: [Commonwealth 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/commonwealth-185) (registry code 2370608) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1623 - Engines: Teledyne Continental C85 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert Lee Graham - Registered owner: Benjamin P Cook - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: L12, Redlands, CA - Destination: RIR, Rubidoux, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 741 total, 4 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: RIV ## 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 20070622012279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070622012279A), Jun 22, 2007: Comwth REARWIND185, Redlands, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Shortly after taking off, and reaching 100 feet, the aircraft ceased to gain any more altitude (despite pilot's control inputs to climb) and started to… ## Other investigations on N92827 (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX89LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA220), Jun 17, 1989: Commonwealth 185 (N92827), Sacramento, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ACCURATELY DETERMINE THE FUEL LOAD PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. 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.