N4211C

On June 10, 1999, at 1414 mountain daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N4211C, owned and operated by the State of Colorado's Division of Wildlife, was substantially damaged during takeoff near Farmington, New Mexico. The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the public use flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, he took off from Four Corners Regional Airport, Farmington, New Mexico, en route to Creede, Colorado. Shortly after departure, at an altitude of 600 feet agl, engine power dropped to idle. The pilot made a forced landing in a field 3 miles north of the airport. The time was approximately 1315. A mechanic from the airport examined the engine and discovered the throttle cable had become disconnected from the throttle linkage due to looseness of the nut and bolt. While the mechanic made the necessary repairs, the pilot examined the field and determined he had sufficient clearance for take off. After repairs were made, the pilot attempted to take off. As the airplane lifted off, the left main landing gear struck a mound of dirt. The impact sheared the mounting bolt and the left main landing gear fell off the airplane. The pilot flew to Four Corners Regional Airport, made a low pass, then landed on runway 11 at 1420. The airplane skidded to a halt, coming to rest on its left wing tip.