# NTSB ANC90LA145: Cessna 185B, N2550Z, Mcgrath, AK, August 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1990, 18:01 local (Aug 15, 1990, 02:01 UTC)
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Coordinates: 63.60939, -154.779739 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6094&lon=-154.7797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5429
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5429/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA145

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE LEFT INSIDE WHEEL BEARING, FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,wheel - disabled
  - maintenance,replacement - not performed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - landing gear,wheel - disabled (cause)

## Analysis

THE 57-YEAR-OLD PRIVATE PILOT STATED THAT THE LEFT WHEEL/BEARING FAILED DURING LANDING, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL AND GROUND LOOP THE AIRPLANE. THE LEFT INSIDE WHEEL BEARING AND THE WHEEL WERE EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2550Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2550Z-2019-01-14), registration cancelled 2019-01-14, S/N 185-0550, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185B
- Registry model: [Cessna 185B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185b) (registry code 2072806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520-D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-d) (registry code 17236, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-0550
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jason G. Wyrick
- Departed: NONE, GRANITE CREEK, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MCG, Mcgrath, runway 34, 5,460 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 2,000 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCG

## 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 19900814035759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900814035759A), Aug 14, 1990: Cessna 185B, Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage. Left wheel locked up on landing. Caused a ground loop. Wheel bearing fractured. Wheels installed by pilot.

## Other investigations on N2550Z (3)

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 ANC13CA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA028), Mar 5, 2013: Cessna 185B (N2550Z), Flat, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting, variable wind conditions during initial climb after takeoff.
- [NTSB ANC76DAG91](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAG91), Jan 26, 1976: Cessna 185 (N2550Z), Nondalton, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC73DAG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC73DAG01), Jul 2, 1972: Cessna 185B (N2550Z), Iliamna, AK, substantial damage

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.

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