# NTSB SEA96LA002: Cessna A185E, N70221, Ola, ID, October 4, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 4, 1995, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Ola, ID - Coordinates: 44.270439, -116.310585 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2704&lon=-116.3106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 8, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42297 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42297/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA002 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation by failing to determine that the takeoff area was clear of obstructions. The rock was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff ## Analysis DURING TAKEOFF THE TAILWHEEL IMPACTED A HIDDEN BOULDER, MOMENTARILY DISRUPTING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. DURING THE COURSE OF THE PILOT'S RECOVERY ATTEMPT, HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF. THE RIGHT WING TIP STRUCK THE GROUND, PARTIALLY SEPARATING THE AILERON. THE PILOT CONTINUED HIS FLIGHT TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT WITH APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT. ## Factual narrative On October 4, 1995, approximately 1200 mountain daylight time, N70221, a Cessna A185E, sustained substantial damage when it dragged a wing during takeoff at a private airstrip near Ola, Idaho. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured. There was no flight plan for the flight, and the ELT did not actuate. The pilot continued to Boise, Idaho, which was his destination. Although he was aware of damage to the aircraft, the pilot elected to overfly Emmett, Idaho, due to lack of emergency services. He continued to Boise, where he declared an emergency, and reported having control difficulties prior to landing at Boise. He landed with a flat main landing gear tire. An FAA inspector inspected the aircraft and stated that the right aileron was hanging down about 60 degrees, and a spar in the outboard portion of the wing was damaged. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, about the time the tail would normally come off the ground, the tail was abruptly swung to the right and the airplane started a skidding left turn that could not be arrested with full right rudder and brake. The pilot elected to continue his takeoff due to speed and braking constraints. The aircraft continued to the left for about 200 feet in an uncontrolled left skid, then very suddenly swung to the right. The pilot stated that the right wing hit the ground at that time. The pilot recovered and became airborne, and noted damage to the right wing and aileron. He elected to continue on to Boise as the aircraft appeared to be controllable and he wished to land where emergency equipment was available. After landing at Boise, the pilot later returned to Ola, where he found a boulder, about the size of a football, on the runway, immediately preceeding skid marks to the left. He believed the tailwheel struck the rock, unlocking the tailwheel, and causing the original directional excursion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70221](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70221), registered now, S/N 18502065, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185E - Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18502065 - Airframe hours: 890 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David B. Merritt - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1995, 15 hours before - Destination: BOI, BOISE, ID - Airport: Private Airstrip, runway 6, 1,500 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 350 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 315° at 5 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19951004031319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951004031319A), Oct 4, 1995: Cessna A185E, Ola, ID, Substantial damage. On takeoff tailwheel hit boulder. Swerved. Elected continued right wing hit ground. Separated aileron. Continued. 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.