# NTSB SEA93LA163: Cessna 195, N9836A, Pray, MT, July 27, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1993, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Pray, MT
- Coordinates: 45.309032, -110.759857 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3090&lon=-110.7599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43044
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43044/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA163

## Probable cause

THE PIC FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TAILWIND WEATHER CONDITION.

## 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
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF ON RWY 3, AND THE ACFT SWERVED OFF THE RWY DURING GROUND ROLL AND IMPACTED A DITCH. THERE WAS A LIGHT WIND FROM THE SOUTH AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9836A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9836A), registered now, S/N 7529, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 195
- Registry model: [Cessna 195](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-195) (registry code 2073102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs R755A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755a-series) (registry code 35006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1957529
- Airframe hours: 5367
- Engines: JACOBS R-755-B 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Diehl, Donald A.
- Registered owner: Diehl, Donald A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 1993, 10 hours before
- Destination: MBG, MOBRIDGE, SD
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE, Flying Y Airstrip, runway 3, 6,000 × 20 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,960 total, 507 in this make and model, 1,807 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LVM, 18 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 19930727026029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930727026029A), Jul 27, 1993: Cessna 195, Pray, MT, Substantial damage. Lost control and veered off runway when tail came up on takeoff. Was departing downwind.

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.