# NTSB SEA90LA164: Cessna A185F, N8343Q, Ovando, MT, August 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1990, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Ovando, MT
- Coordinates: 47.069133, -113.04058 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0691&lon=-113.0406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41263/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA164

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE TO THE RUNWAY, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT FOR LANDING. THE FENCE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence post (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control,elevator surface - separation
  - flight control,stabilator surface - separation
  - go-around - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND AT A PRIVATE GRASS STRIP, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A FENCE POST.  DURING IMPACT, MOST OF THE RIGHT STABILIZER & ALL OF THE RIGHT ELEVATOR SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT.  THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED FLYING & THE PILOT FLEW IT BACK TO THE POINT OF DEPARTURE & LANDED SUCCESSFULLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8343Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503662
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John J. Mckenna
- Departed: BZN, BOZEMAN, MT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Whitetail Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,500 total, 300 in this make and model, 53 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HLN, 62 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 19900815033079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900815033079A), Aug 15, 1990: Cessna A185F, Ovando, MT, Substantial damage. On final for private strip tail struck a fence post. Flew back to base. Impact had severed right stabilizer.

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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