# NTSB WPR13CA199: Cessna A185E, N2303Y, Cottonwood, ID, April 7, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 7, 2013, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Cottonwood, ID - Coordinates: 46.02639, -116.641944 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0264&lon=-116.6419&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86660 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA199 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86660/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86660 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA199 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to see and avoid an object on the grass airstrip during the takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: hidden/submerged object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03010000): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03010000/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03010000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff ground roll from the private grass airstrip, the airplane’s left main tire and the tailwheel struck a rock that was partially hidden by the tall grass. The pilot continued the takeoff, proceeded to the destination airport, and landed uneventfully. After landing, the rudder was found substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the takeoff ground roll from the private grass airstrip, the left main tire followed by the tailwheel, struck a rock that was partially hidden by the tall grass. The pilot continued the takeoff, proceeded to his destination and landed uneventfully. After landing, the airplane was examined and the rudder was found substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2303Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2303Y), registered now, S/N 185-01868, 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: 185-01868 - Airframe hours: 4182 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 13, 2013, 26 hours before - Departed: PVT, Cottonwood, ID - Destination: LWS, Lewiston, ID - Airport: PVT, Private, Personal Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 7, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 4,241 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 11 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: LWS, 25 nm away ## Other investigations on N2303Y (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 SEA06CA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA048), Jan 30, 2006: Cessna A185E (N2303Y), Lewiston, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the left main landing gear attaching bolt, which resulted in the left main gear collapsing during the landing roll. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86660. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392064&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.