Summary
On September 15, 2018, a Cessna A185 (N573BV) was involved in an accident near Bullhead City, AZ. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury, with 1 person uninjured out of 2 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot’s diverted attention during takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a collision with rising terrain.
On September 15, 2018, about 1245 mountain standard time, a Cessna A185F airplane, N573BV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bullhead City, Arizona. The pilot received minor injuries and the passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane was left of centerline, and he made a “radical” correction to get back on course. After departing the runway, during the initial climb, he entered information into the fuel totalizer, and when he looked up momentarily, the airplane was in a left bank with rising terrain and powerlines ahead of the airplane.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR18LA263. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N573BV.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s diverted attention during takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a collision with rising terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On September 15, 2018, about 1245 mountain standard time, a Cessna A185F airplane, N573BV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bullhead City, Arizona. The pilot received minor injuries and the passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane was left of centerline, and he made a “radical” correction to get back on course. After departing the runway, during the initial climb, he entered information into the fuel totalizer, and when he looked up momentarily, the airplane was in a left bank with rising terrain and powerlines ahead of the airplane. Realizing that impact was imminent, the pilot added one notch of flaps and kept the wings level. The airplane impacted the ground near a ravine, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.
The pilot reported, and postaccident examination confirmed, no anomalies of the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR18LA263