Cessna 185 N120KM

Summary

On 6 March 2006 at about 16:20 local time, a Cessna 185 registered N120KM was involved in an accident near Ely, Nevada, United States. One person was 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

6 March 2006 at 16:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Ely, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Ely Airport (Yelland Field) (KELY)

Coordinates

39.2853, -114.8333

Aircraft

Cessna 185

Registration

N120KM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ely → Ely

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC06LA024

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for a quartering tailwind while taxiing, which resulted in a loss of control and an on ground encounter with terrain. A factor in the accident was the quartering crosswind.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial certificated pilot was back-taxiing on Runway 12 in preparation for takeoff. There was a strong, gusty wind from the left rear quarter. The pilot reported that a strong gust of wind lifted the left wing and tail of the airplane, and the right wing struck the surface of the runway. The airplane pivoted to the right, and swerved off the right side of the runway. The airplane's main wheels struck an area of muddy soil, and the airplane nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right elevator, and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.