# NTSB SEA94LA234: Cessna A185F, N5387H, Conrad, MT, September 7, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 7, 1994, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Conrad, MT - Coordinates: 48.19952, -111.84954 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1995&lon=-111.8495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 16, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42019 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA234 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42019/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA234 ## Probable cause THE CFI'S FAILURE TO ASSURE AN ADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT, INCLUDING THE PROPER ENGAGEMENT AND FUNCTION OF THE RUDDER PEDALS, PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - flt control syst,rudder control - not engaged (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - terrain condition - rough/uneven - directional control - not maintained, dual student - remedial action - not possible - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff ## Analysis THE DUAL STUDENT WAS RECEIVING INSTRUCTION FOR HIS THIRD FLIGHT IN A TAIL WHEEL AIRPLANE. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DRIFT OFF THE RUNWAY. THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) ATTEMPTED TO TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION BY USING THE RUDDER PEDALS, BUT THEY WERE INOPERATIVE. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO DRIFT OFF THE RUNWAY AND ONTO ROUGH TERRAIN. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE RUDDER PEDALS FOR THE RIGHT SEAT HAD BEEN STOWED, AND THIS WAS NOT DETECTED BY THE CFI PRIOR TO THE TAKEOFF ROLL. ## Factual narrative On September 7, 1994, about 0900 hours mountain daylight time, N5387H, a Cessna A185F, operated by Karlee Leasing, Inc., Conrad, Montana, collided with rough terrain during takeoff from Conrad and was substantially damaged. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The local instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the CFI, the purpose of the flight was so the private pilot could receive his third instructional flight in a tail wheel airplane. During the takeoff roll, the student "over corrected" for a drift to the left and the airplane began to head toward the right side of the runway. When the CFI attempted to take control of the airplane and correct the right drift, he "was unable to apply rudder pressure." The airplane continued to roll off the runway and into rough terrain. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing contacted the ground. According to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector from Helena, Montana, the right seat rudder pedals were found in the stowed position. The inspector stated that the CFI could not control the rudder during the takeoff because the rudder pedals had been stowed on the previous flight. The CFI stated that prior to the flight, a "preflight inspection was performed in accordance with the Operator's Manual," and he "rocked" the rudder pedals "back and forth." He did not perform a complete flight control functional check prior to the takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5387H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5387H), registered now, S/N 18503330, 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: 18503330 - Airframe hours: 2047 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Karlee Leasing, Inc. - Registered owner: Karlee Leasing, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 1993, 98 hours before - Departed: S01 - Destination: S01, MT - Airport: S01, Conrad Airport, runway 23, 4,601 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,053 total, 5 in this make and model, 7,908 as pilot in command, 286 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GTF, 37 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 19940907048599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940907048599A), Sep 7, 1994: Cessna A185F, Conrad, MT, Substantial damage. Student lost directional control on takeoff. CFI unable to correct. Rudder pedals were stowed. Wing struck ground. 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.