# NTSB ATL92LA142: Cessna A185F, N1823R, Maxton, NC, July 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1992, 15:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Maxton, NC
- Coordinates: 34.73043, -79.350105 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7304&lon=-79.3501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8632/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA142

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITION AND THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE PILOT IN TRAINING.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO ALLOW ONE PILOT TO ATTAIN PROFICIENCY IN THE TAIL WHEEL EQUIPPED AIRPLANE. HE HAD COMPLETED ABOUT 3.5 HOURS IN THE AIRPLANE. ONE RUNWAY WAS CLOSED SO, RWY 5-23 WAS BEING USED. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, THE WIND SOCK AT THE RWY END INDICATED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM 090 AT 8 KTS. THE TERMINAL WIND SOCK SHOWED WINDS FROM 140. THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE, ACCORDING TO THE PIC. DURING THE FLIGHT, THE PRACTICING PILOT COMMENTED THAT THE CROSS WIND WAS INCREASING. ON THE FINAL LANDING THE AIRPLANE VEERED RIGHT, OFF OF THE RUNWAY, & COLLAPSED THE LEFT MAIN GEAR. THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTERWARDS THE WIND WAS NOTED TO BE ABOUT 190-200 DEGREES AT ABOUT 18 KTS. WITNESSES COMMENTED TO THE PILOT THAT THE WINDS WERE GUSTY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1823R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1823R), registered now, S/N 18502538, built 1974 (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: 18502538
- Airframe hours: 2915
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cunningham, Michael K
- Registered owner: Cunningham, Donald S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 5, 1992, 50 hours before
- Airport: MEB, Laurinburg-Maxton, runway 5, 6,489 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,800 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 195 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 18 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAY, 30 nm away

## 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 19920721026639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920721026639A), Jul 21, 1992: Cessna A185F, Maxton, NC, Substantial damage. Weather vaned into wind on landing ground looped collapsing gear. Wind had shifted to gusty quarterting tailwind.

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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