# NTSB WPR13CA326: Cessna A185F, N185BW, Cascade, ID, July 14, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 14, 2013, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Cascade, ID - Coordinates: 44.2975, -115.639724 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2975&lon=-115.6397&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 12, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87476 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA326 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87476/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87476 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA326 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during final approach due to the sun glare that obscured the pilot's vision. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/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) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while landing at a remote dirt airstrip, as he turned to final approach, the runway was obscured by the glare of the morning sun. As he continued the approach to land, about 30 feet above the ground, the right wing struck trees that were next to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and to the landing gear boxes. The pilot stated that had he flown a longer final he would have been able to assess the situation better. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while landing at a remote dirt airstrip, as he turned to final approach, the runway was obscured by the glare of the morning sun. As he continued the approach to land, about 30 feet above the ground, the right wing struck trees that were next to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and to the landing gear boxes. The pilot stated that had he flown a longer final he would have been able to assess the situation better. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N185BW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N185BW), registered now, S/N 18503232, built 1976 (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: 18503232 - Airframe hours: 4307 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 D 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Langdon William - Registered owner: Langdon William - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2013, 56 hours before - Departed: U88, Crouch, ID - Destination: ID86, Cascade, ID - Airport: ID86, Deadwood Dam Airstrip, runway 04, 1,800 × 50 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 26, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 3,241 total, 2,480 in this make and model, 3,185 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: SNT, 31 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 20130714011759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130714011759A), Jul 14, 2013: Cessna A185F, Garden Valley, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot reported that on July 14, 2013 he departed Garden Valley airport for Deadwood airstrip (ID86)at approximatley 0700. As he approached ID86 and attempted… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 10, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87476. 767 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 767 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399459&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.