# NTSB SEA91LA173: Commonwealth 185, N90683, Toledo, WA, July 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1991, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Toledo, WA
- Coordinates: 46.450862, -122.759117 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4509&lon=-122.7591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41484
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41484/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA173

## Probable cause

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A HAY BALE IN A RECENTLY CUT FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90683](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90683), registered now, S/N 1778 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: COMMONWEALTH 185
- Registry model: [Commonwealth 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/commonwealth-185) (registry code 2370608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1778
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Arthur T. Biehl
- Registered owner: Arthur T. Biehl
- Airport: TDO, Toledo, runway 23, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 386 total, 19 in this make and model, 357 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910712031769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910712031769A), Jul 12, 1991: Cessna STC185, Toledo, WA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff roll. Ran off runway into a hay bale.

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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