Summary
On July 24, 2006, a Cessna 185 (N477G) was involved in an incident near Cove, OR. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Factors include wet grass and trees.
On July 24, 2006, about 0755 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 185, N477G, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff at the Minam Lodge Airstrip, Cove, Oregon. The airplane was registered to the pilot and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airline transport pilot and the one passenger aboard the airplane were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot's planned destination was McCall, Idaho. No flight plan had been filed.
In a written statement dated September 9, the pilot reported, "About 500 ft. down the runway was a dogleg to the right. I had lined up somewhat to the left in order to mitigate the turn to the right.
This incident is documented in NTSB report SEA06CA176. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N477G.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Factors include wet grass and trees.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On July 24, 2006, about 0755 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 185, N477G, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff at the Minam Lodge Airstrip, Cove, Oregon. The airplane was registered to the pilot and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airline transport pilot and the one passenger aboard the airplane were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot's planned destination was McCall, Idaho. No flight plan had been filed.
In a written statement dated September 9, the pilot reported, "About 500 ft. down the runway was a dogleg to the right. I had lined up somewhat to the left in order to mitigate the turn to the right. At approximately 40 miles an [per] hour the aircraft started drifting toward the left on the wet grass. There didn't seem to be any rudder control and there was absolutely no braking on the wet grass. I pulled off the power and I was standing on the right brake when the left wing contacted some small brush and aspen trees."
The Minam Lodge Airport (7OR0) is located in mountainous terrain in the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area. The airport elevation is 3,589 feet above sea level, and has a single turf runway. The runway is 2,000 feet long and 40 feet wide.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA06CA176