N185K

On August 15, 1996, approximately 1430 mountain daylight time, N185K, a Cessna A185E, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Switchback Ranch, a private airstrip near Cody, Wyoming. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was to land at the Cody, Wyoming airport. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR 135, and was a non-scheduled passenger flight. There was no report of the ELT actuating.

The pilot landed to the west at the 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 for takeoff. The pilot stated that during 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. He was unable to stop before the aircraft tipped to the left and damaged the left wingtip and horizontal stabilizer. He noted that the winds had shifted to the northeast , and 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. In his accident report, he noted that the right main wheel had been dragging more than the left wheel, and recommended when operating at high temperatures at high density altitudes that more time should be allowed for brakes to cool if used heavily just before takeoff.