# NTSB SEA86LA192: Cessna 185FII, N185M, Reno, NV, August 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1986, 17:15 local (Aug 4, 1986, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.710289, -119.819404 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7103&lon=-119.8194&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA192

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF WITH ACFT 540 POUNDS OVER MAX CERT WT AND 8500 FT DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS. ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE BUT POSITIVE CLIMB AND AIRSPEED INCREASE NOT POSSIBLE. PLT TURNED TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS, PUTTING ACFT INTO SEMI-CONTROLLED COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N185M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N185M-2008-02-11), registration cancelled 2008-02-11, S/N 18504264, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185FII
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503594
- Airframe hours: 1748
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO 520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas M. Turner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 21, 1985, 126 hours before
- Destination: WJF, LANCASTER, CA
- Airport: 45D, Reno-Stead, runway 26, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,250 total, 132 in this make and model, 1,706 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 10 nm away

## 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 19860803036849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860803036849A), Aug 3, 1986: Cessna A185F, Reno, NV, Destroyed. Unable to maintain climb after takeoff. Collided with ground. Aircraft over gross weight. Density altitude a factor.

## Other investigations on N185M (2)

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 ANC07LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07LA035), May 2, 2007: Cessna A185F (N185M), Haines, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The main landing gear attachment bolts to the right ski sheared during the landing roll in deep snow, resulting in a nose down, and structural damage to the right wing and aileron.
- [NTSB ANC00LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA105), Aug 17, 2000: Cessna 185 (N185M), Yakutat, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total fatigue failure of the right main landing gear leg.

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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