# NTSB SEA92LA106: Cessna A185F, N61167, Spray, OR, May 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1992, 18:25 local (May 23, 1992, 01:25 UTC)
- Place: Spray, OR
- Coordinates: 44.420536, -118.939384 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4205&lon=-118.9394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41681
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41681/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA106

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING.  FACTORS INCLUDE SOFT AND UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OVERFLEW THE UNIMPROVED AIRSTRIP, WHICH HAD BEEN PARTIALLY PLOWED, THEN ELECTED TO LAND UPSLOPE.  HE TOUCHED DOWN IN THE PLOWED AREA, ABOUT 150 FEET SHORT OF THE UNPLOWED SECOND HALF OF THE AIRSTRIP.  THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER, SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, AFTER TOUCHDOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N61167 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18504118
- Airframe hours: 500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John L. Hirons
- Registered owner: John L. Hirons
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1991, 50 hours before
- Departed: EUG, EUGENE, OR
- Airport: NONE, Spray

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 870 total, 500 in this make and model, 870 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920522016239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920522016239A), May 22, 1992: Cessna A185F, Spray, OR, Substantial damage. Landed short of sod strip in plowed ground. Nosed over. Blamed swirly winds powerline uphill grade. 800 foot strip.

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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