# NTSB ANC21LA026: Cessna A185F, N58316, Fairbanks, AK, March 20, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 20, 2021, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.815111, -147.85644 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8151&lon=-147.8564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 102797 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102797/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102797 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA026 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop. ## 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: 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 reported that, he was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane on an asphalt surfaced runway in a slight right crosswind. After touchdown, the airplane veered to the right. Not knowing the reason for the veer, the pilot allowed the airplane to turn to the right and did not attempt to correct. The airplane ground looped to the right and the left wing impacted the ground sustaining substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot listed multiple ways the accident may have been prevented, including but not limited to, receiving additional training on landing technique in the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N58316](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N58316), registered now, S/N 18503284, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F - 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: 18503284 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 10944 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 2020 - Departed: INR, Mckinley Park, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: FAI, Fairbanks Intl, runway 02R/20L, 6,501 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 15, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,543 total, 170 in this make and model, 1,430 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point -2 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: PAFA, 1 nm away - METAR: PAFA 202353Z 09009KT 10SM CLR M06/M19 A2976 RMK AO2 SLP092 T10611194 11061 21233 58014 ## 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 20210320001069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210320001069A), Mar 20, 2021: Cessna A185F, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he made a normal approach to runway 02R at the Fairbanks International Airport. The pilot stated he made a normal wheel landing and shortly after… ## Other investigations on N58316 (1) 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. - [NTSB ANC05CA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA141), Sep 12, 2005: Cessna 185F (N58316), Bettles, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for a gusty crosswind, which resulted in a loss of control and an inadvertent ground-loop during the landing roll. Factors associated with the accident were the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 20, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102797. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12122516&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20DMS_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (courtesy of pilot) (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 434 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12126400&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photos-Rel.pdf 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.