1989-05-28: Cessna A185F — Jackson, CA

Casualties unknown • Jackson, CA, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT ESTABLISH A CLIMB RATE SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO CLEAR TREES BEFORE TURNING TOWARDS THEM DURING A GO-AROUND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE GUSTY CROSSWINDS WHICH CHANGED TO A TAILWIND WHEN THE AIRCRAFT TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND THE PILOTS FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THEM BEFORE COLLIDING WITH A TREE.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

DURING A LANDING IN GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS, THE AIRPLANE BALLOONED. THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER AND OPTED TO GO-AROUND. THE AIRPLANE WAS TURNED RIGHT (DOWNWIND) AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE WHEN THE AIRPLANE DID NOT CLIMB TO A SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR OBTACLES. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE WINDS WERE OUT OF THE WEST AT 10 KTS GUSTING TO 15 KTS.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-05-28 Cessna A185F accident near Jackson, CA?

DURING A LANDING IN GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS, THE AIRPLANE BALLOONED. THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER AND OPTED TO GO-AROUND. THE AIRPLANE WAS TURNED RIGHT (DOWNWIND) AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE WHEN THE AIRPLANE DID NOT CLIMB TO A SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR OBTACLES. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE WINDS WERE OUT OF THE WEST…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-05-28 involved a Cessna A185F, registration N1042F, at Jackson, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT DID NOT ESTABLISH A CLIMB RATE SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO CLEAR TREES BEFORE TURNING TOWARDS THEM DURING A GO-AROUND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE GUSTY CROSSWINDS WHICH CHANGED TO A TAILWIND WHEN THE AIRCRAFT TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND THE PILOTS FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THEM BEFORE COLLIDING WITH A TREE.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28362. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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