# NTSB ANC98LA027: Cessna A185F, N9620Q, Homer, AK, March 21, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 21, 1998, 10:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Homer, AK - Coordinates: 59.400444, -151.320953 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.4004&lon=-151.3210&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3120 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3120/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA027 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors in the accident are the sheared valve stem/deflation of the tire, and subsequent fracturing of the associated wheel. ## Analysis The airplane bounced once during landing on the dry, paved runway. The pilot stated that as the airplane settled, the left wheel began to vibrate, and then the airplane ground looped to the left. Postaccident inspection revealed the inner tube inflation valve stem sheared off, and the wheel halves fractured. No preaccident mechanical anomalies were discovered during the inspection. The wheels had been installed 4.5 service hours, and 7 landings prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 21, 1998, at 1040 Alaska standard time, a Cessna A185F airplane, N9620Q, sustained substantial damage when it ground looped on landing at the Homer, Alaska, airport. The private pilot and the one passenger were uninjured. The airplane was operated by Fairweather, Inc., of Anchorage, Alaska. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight departed Anchorage at 1001, bound for Homer. The pilot stated during a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, and in his Pilot/Operator report, that during landing on the dry asphalt runway, the airplane bounced once, and after settling onto the runway, the left wheel began to vibrate. He indicated that as the airplane was decelerating, he retracted flaps and the airplane began drifting to the left. Application of right rudder did not stop the drift, the airplane ground looped to the left, and the right wing struck the runway. The airplane came to rest on the runway. The pilot, and the mechanics who repaired the airplane, said that the valve stem of the tire's inner tube was observed to be sheared off. Postaccident inspection of the wheel by the NTSB investigator revealed that both left wheel halves had fractured into numerous pieces. No preaccident anomalies were observed with the wheel or bearings. The Cleveland wheel assemblies with 8.50 inch by 6 inch tires had been installed October 3, 1997, 7 landings and about 4.5 hours prior to the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,tire - sheared (contributing factor) - landing gear,wheel - fractured (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9620Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9620Q), registered now, S/N 18503780, built 1979 (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: 185-03780 - Airframe hours: 1615 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Fairweather, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1997, 31 hours before - Departed: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: HOM - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: HOM, Homer, runway 21, 7,401 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 687 total, 594 in this make and model, 601 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HOM ## 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 19980321004109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980321004109A), Mar 21, 1998: Cessna A185F, Homer, AK, Substantial damage. Left wheel vibration landing. Began veered to left. Used right rudder. Ground looped. Wing hit runway. (.4)the airplane bounced once during landing on the dry,… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.