# NTSB ANC15CA019: Cessna A185F, N3885Q, Palmer, AK, April 1, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 1, 2015, 14:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.596668, -149.088058 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5967&lon=-149.0881&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 90992 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC15CA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90992/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA019 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during landing, resulting in a collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 75 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing to the south on a gravel runway in his tailwheel-equipped Cessna 185 airplane. During the landing rollout, a wind gust from the east was encountered and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane entered a ground loop, sustaining substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was landing to the south on a gravel runway in his tailwheel-equipped Cessna 185 airplane. During the landing rollout, a wind gust from the east was encountered and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane entered a ground loop, sustaining substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3885Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3885Q), registered now, S/N 18502207, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F (F) - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18502207 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 1020.3 - Engines: Continental Motors IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cruz David C - Registered owner: Cruz David C - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 16, 2014 - Departed: SKW, SKWENTNA, AK - Destination: PAQ, Palmer, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PAQ, Palmer Muni, runway 16S, 1,560 × 60 ft, gravel - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 11, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 111 total, 111 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 18 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: PAAQ ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20150401006999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150401006999A), Apr 1, 2015: Cessna A185F, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was landing on runway 16 gravel at Palmer. Pilot stated that he recieved a strong gust from his left(east) after landing and he couldn't keep aircraft… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.