# NTSB SEA96LA193: Cessna A185E, N185K, Cody, WY, August 15, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 15, 1996, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Cody, WY - Coordinates: 44.510433, -109.050148 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5104&lon=-109.0501&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42446 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42446/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA193 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane and runway alignment during the takeoff roll. Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind, and possible dragging of the right brake. ## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor) - landing gear,normal brake system - movement restricted (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The pilot landed to the west at a private airstrip, using moderate braking to stop on a steep downhill portion of the runway. He backtaxied and loaded his passengers and baggage, then backtaxied further for takeoff. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll to the west, he was unable to maintain directional control with left rudder and brake, and the main wheels drifted off the right edge of the runway. The pilot aborted the takeoff, but was unable to stop before the aircraft tipped to the left and damaged the left wingtip and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot noted that the wind had been from the west at 5 gusting 10 knots, but had shifted to the northeast. Also, he noted that the right main wheel had been dragging more than the left wheel as the aircraft drifted off the hard-packed runway onto the softer shoulders. Additionally, the pilot noted that when operating at high temperatures and in high density altitudes, more time should be allowed for brakes to cool, if used heavily just before takeoff. ## Factual narrative On August 15, 1996, approximately 1430 mountain daylight time, N185K, a Cessna A185E, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Switchback Ranch, a private airstrip near Cody, Wyoming. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was to land at the Cody, Wyoming airport. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR 135, and was a non-scheduled passenger flight. There was no report of the ELT actuating. The pilot landed to the west at the private airstrip, using moderate braking to stop on a steep downhill portion of the runway. He backtaxied and loaded his passengers and baggage, then backtaxied for takeoff. The pilot stated that during takeoff roll to the west, he was unable to maintain directional control with left rudder and brake, and the main wheels drifted off the right edge of the runway. He was unable to stop before the aircraft tipped to the left and damaged the left wingtip and horizontal stabilizer. He noted that the winds had shifted to the northeast , and that the right main wheel had been dragging more than the left wheel as the aircraft drifted off the hard-packed runway onto the softer shoulders. In his accident report, he noted that the right main wheel had been dragging more than the left wheel, and recommended when operating at high temperatures at high density altitudes that more time should be allowed for brakes to cool if used heavily just before takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N185K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N185K-2008-01-29), registration cancelled 2008-01-29, S/N 18501887, built 1971 (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: 18501887 - Airframe hours: 3410 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Spirit Mountain Aviation Lc - Registered owner: Cecil N. Mcmillin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1995, 82 hours before - Destination: COD, WY - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: Switchback Ranch, runway 27, 3,000 × 30 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,775 total, 65 in this make and model, 4,530 as pilot in command, 154 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 39 °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 19960815046039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960815046039A), Aug 15, 1996: Cessna A185E, Cody, WY, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot landed to the west at a private airstrip, using moderate braking to stop on a steep downhill portion of the runway. He backtaxied and loaded his… ## Other investigations on N185K (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN04LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA071), May 8, 2004: Cessna A185E (N185K), Englewood, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which failed to verify an adequate fuel supply and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion. The inadequate indication of… 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.