Cessna A185E N185K

Summary

On 15 August 1996 at about 20:30 local time, a Cessna A185E registered N185K, operated by Spirit Mountain Aviation LC, was involved in an accident near Cody, Wyoming, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 August 1996 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Cody, Wyoming, United States

Nearest airport

Switchback Ranch

Coordinates

44.5104, -109.0501

Aircraft

Cessna A185E

Registration

N185K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Spirit Mountain Aviation LC

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA96LA193

Nobody was injured.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.