WPR18LA263

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

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.

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.