Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Mixcolaja Guatemala
Friday, May 26, 2000 10:00 CST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

On May 26, 2000, at 1000 central standard time, a Cessna A185F airplane, N4871Q, was substantially damaged upon collision with terrain during takeoff from a dirt airstrip near Mixcolaja, Department of Quiche, in the Republic of Guatemala. The private pilot and the 3 passengers aboard the airplane sustained minor injuries. The 1978 model airplane was owned and operated by the Mennonite Air Mission of Denver, Pennsylvania. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the intended cross country flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The flight's destination was Huehuetenango, Guatemala. According to a statement provided to the Guatemalan DGAC, the pilot reported that "the runway was very slippery due to recent rains in the area." The pilot added that full takeoff power was not applied until he passed some very muddy spots on the runway, resulting in an extended takeoff roll. The pilot closed the throttle and applied full braking to attempt to abort the takeoff. The airplane overran the departure end of the airstrip and fell to the bottom of a ravine. The accident investigation is under the control and jurisdiction of the Government of the Republic of Guatemala. Additional information may be obtained from: Republica de Guatemala Direccion General de Aviacion Civil Aeropuerto Internacional "La Aurora" Zona 13 Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala Centro America This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by, or obtained from the DGAC of the Republic of Mexico.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

Not Yet Reported

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 5/26/2000
Event Day of the Week Friday
Time of Event 1000
Event Time Zone Central Standard Time
Event City MIXCOLAJA
Event State --
Event Country GUATEMALA
Zipcode of the event site 00000
Event Date Year 2000
Event Date Month 5
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude
Event Location Longitude
Event Location Airport
Event Location Nearest Airport ID
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Unknown
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness Unknown
Investigator's weather source Pilot
Time of the weather observation 0
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 0
Weather Observation Facility ID
Elevation of weather observation facility 0
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 0
Time Zone of the weather observation
Lighting Conditions Not Reported
Lowest Ceiling Height 0
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 0
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Unknown
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) 0
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) 0
Visibility (Statute Miles) 0
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) --
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) --
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 0
Variable Wind Indicator Unknown
Wind Speed (knots) 0
Wind Velocity Indicator Unknown
Wind Gust Indicator Unknown
Wind Gust (knots) 0
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) --
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation Unknown
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Minor
On Ground, Fatal Injuries 0
On Ground, Minor Injuries 0
On Ground, Serious Injuries 0
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor 4
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All 4
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 0
NTSB Notification Source DGAC OF GUATEMALA
NTSB Notification Date Jun 5 2000 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 830
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information
Date of most recent change to record Jan 2 2001 9:14AM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N4871Q
NTSB Number FTW00WA173
Missing Aircraft Indicator N
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Non-U.S., Non-Commercial
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire Unknown
Aircraft Explosion Unknown
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Cessna
Aircraft Model A185F
Aircraft Series Identifier A185F
Aircraft Serial Number
Certified Max Gross Weight --
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class Unknown
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft --
Number of Engines --
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Unknown
Date of Last Inspection --
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours --
ELT Installed Unknown
ELT Activated Unknown
ELT Aided Location of Event Site Unknown
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name
Aircraft Owner Street Address
Aircraft Owner City
Aircraft Owner State
Aircraft Owner Country
Aircraft Owner Zipcode
Operator is an individual? --
Operator Name --
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? No
Operator Street Address 371 COCALICO ROAD
Operator City DENVER
Operator State PA
Operator Country
Operator Zip code 17517
Operator Code
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation Unknown
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not Unknown
Indicates Domestic or International Flight Unknown
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail Unknown
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board Unknown
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code
Departure City
Departure State
Departure Country
Departure Time 0
Departure Time Zone
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code UNK
Destination City HUEHUETENANGO
Destination State OF
Destination Country
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Oct 22 2001 3:26PM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location 0
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --