# NTSB SEA92LA179: Cessna A185F, N1207Q, Ennis, MT, August 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1992, 20:00 local (Aug 13, 1992, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Ennis, MT
- Coordinates: 45.279453, -111.709533 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2795&lon=-111.7095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42876
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42876/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA179

## Probable cause

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED.  FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: A LOOSE GRAVEL AIRSTRIP, WIND GUSTS AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, A NORMAL APPROACH AND LANDING WERE MADE TO THE PRIVATE GRAVEL AIRSTRIP. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, A GUST OF WIND RAISED THE AIRPLANE'S TAIL. WHEN THE TAIL CAME BACK DOWN, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND SLIDE SIDEWAYS. THE PILOT TRIED TO CORRECT BUT COULD NOT MAINTAIN CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO THE RIGHT AND THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE SURFACE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1207Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1207Q-2012-10-03), registration cancelled 2012-10-03, S/N 18503470, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- 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: 18503470
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Singleton, James L., doing business as Singleton Construction
- Registered owner: Singleton, James L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 1992, 200 hours before
- Departed: DELL, MT
- Airport: Private, runway 17, 3,500 × 100 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,820 total, 65 in this make and model, 1,640 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19920812031139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920812031139A), Aug 12, 1992: Cessna A185F, Ennis, MT, Substantial damage. Weather vaned into crosswind on landing. Slid sideways and dragged a wing.

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.