# NTSB WPR10CA304: Cessna A185F, N55TA, Bryce Canyon, UT, June 23, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 23, 2010, 11:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Bryce Canyon, UT - Coordinates: 37.706665, -112.144996 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7067&lon=-112.1450&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76412 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA304 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76412/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76412 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA304 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswinds during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 75 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was departing from the airport and the winds were variable, with reported wind gusts to 15 knots. Due to the variable winds he elected to depart from runway 30. The airplane accelerated normally down the runway and the pilot applied forward elevator to prevent a premature lift-off. The airplane began to drift to the left and the pilot applied aileron and rudder. He was not able to return the airplane to the center of the runway and the right wing began to drag on the surface. He then closed the throttle and the airplane struck brush with the right wing down. The airplane came to rest about 100 feet to the left of the runway edge and about 1,500 feet from the departure end of the runway with damage to the landing gear, engine, and empennage. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical anomalies. Winds at the airport 15 minutes prior to the accident were from the southeast at 13 knots, gusting to 18 knots; 10 minutes prior to the accident they were from the south-southeast at 9 knots, gusting to 17 knots; at the time of the accident winds were from the south at 16 knots, gusting to 21 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot was departing from the airport and the winds were variable, with reported wind gusts to 15 knots. Due to the variable winds he elected to depart from runway 30. The airplane accelerated normally down the runway and the pilot applied forward elevator to prevent a premature lift-off. The airplane began to drift to the left and the pilot applied aileron and rudder. He was not able to return the airplane to the center of the runway and the right wing began to drag on the surface. He then closed the throttle and the airplane struck brush with the right wing down. The airplane came to rest about 100 feet to the left of the runway edge and about 1,500 feet from the departure end of the runway with damage to the landing gear, engine, and empennage. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical anomalies. Winds at the airport 15 minutes prior to the accident were from the southeast at 13 knots, gusting to 18 knots; 10 minutes prior to the accident they were from the south-southeast at 9 knots, gusting to 17 knots; at the time of the accident winds were from the south at 16 knots, gusting to 21 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55TA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55TA-2010-11-12), registration cancelled 2010-11-12, S/N 18502438, built 1974 (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: 18502438 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Keith Peterman - Registered owner: Keith Peterman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BCE, Bryce Canyon, UT - Destination: ALS, Alamosa, CO - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: BCE, Bryce Canyon Airport, runway 03, 7,395 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 4,503 total, 2,117 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 7 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: BCE ## 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 20100623035959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100623035959A), Jun 23, 2010: Cessna A185F, Bryce Canyon, UT, Destroyed. Pilot took off from runway 3 at approximately 1130-1145. Winds at the time were reported as follows: at 11:30 se at 13 gusting to 18. At 11:35 out of sse at 9… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76412. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 807 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332600&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Bryce Canyon Airport Wind Conditions (item 2, .PDF, 223 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332601&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Bryce%20Canyon%20Airport%20Wind%20Conditions-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 574 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332602&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Airplane (Provided by FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332603&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Airplane%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.