Pilot Debrief

Cessna A185 near Bullhead City, AZ — 2018-09-15

Final reportWPR18LA263
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Date
2018-09-15
Location
Bullhead City, AZ, USA
Airport
IFP
Aircraft
Cessna A185
Registration
N573BV
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s diverted attention during takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a collision with rising terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane was left of the runway 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. 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. It is likely that the pilot’s diverted attention during the initial climb resulted in impact with terrain.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

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