Summary
On September 11, 2007, a Cessna 185 (N94260) was involved in an incident near Mcgrath, AK. All 4 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 selection of an unsuitable takeoff area which resulted in an overrun and collision with a gravel berm during an aborted takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were his delay in aborting the takeoff, and the short takeoff area.
The airline transport pilot was departing from a 960 foot-long, rough and uneven gravel airstrip, with three passengers and baggage during a Title 14, CFR Part 135 on-demand charter flight. The pilot reported that prior to starting the takeoff, he selected 10 degrees of flaps. During the takeoff roll, he selected 20 degrees flaps as the airplane reached rotation speed. The pilot said that the airplane failed to become airborne as it neared the end of the airstrip, and he aborted the takeoff run. He applied heavy braking, but was unable to stop the airplane before it went off the airstrip. The airplane's main landing gear wheels collided with a gravel bar, and both main landing gear legs collapsed. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC07CA097. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N94260.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area which resulted in an overrun and collision with a gravel berm during an aborted takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were his delay in aborting the takeoff, and the short takeoff area.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The airline transport pilot was departing from a 960 foot-long, rough and uneven gravel airstrip, with three passengers and baggage during a Title 14, CFR Part 135 on-demand charter flight. The pilot reported that prior to starting the takeoff, he selected 10 degrees of flaps. During the takeoff roll, he selected 20 degrees flaps as the airplane reached rotation speed. The pilot said that the airplane failed to become airborne as it neared the end of the airstrip, and he aborted the takeoff run. He applied heavy braking, but was unable to stop the airplane before it went off the airstrip. The airplane's main landing gear wheels collided with a gravel bar, and both main landing gear legs collapsed. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC07CA097