Cessna A185 N484RF

Summary

On 7 June 2019 at about 19:30 local time, a Cessna A185 registered N484RF, operated by Varney Aviation Llc, was involved in an accident near Ashland, Maine, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 June 2019 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Ashland, Maine, United States

Nearest airport

Private (PVT)

Coordinates

46.6611, -68.3894

Aircraft

Cessna A185

Registration

N484RF

Category

Airplane

Year built

1980

Engines

1

Operator

Varney Aviation Llc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Jackman → Jackman

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA19CA320

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a tree.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a private dirt airstrip which had a 3% uphill slope and was crowned in the center of the track, he struggled to correct for torque, P-factor, and crosswind, and the airplane veered left. He was able to correct to the right and continued the takeoff roll. The airplane again veered left, and the left wing struck a tree. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and briefly ascended before descending into brush and coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.