# NTSB CEN12CA280: Cessna A188, N3557Q, Sterling, IL, May 8, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 8, 2012, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Sterling, IL
- Coordinates: 41.742778, -89.676109 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7428&lon=-89.6761&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 July 18, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 83579
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83579/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83579
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA280

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's runway selection based on the wind conditions.

## 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 A188, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073004), [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 A188, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073004), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2073004), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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 A188, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073004), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While landing on runway 7, the pilot lost directional control after the tailwheel touched down. The pilot continued the landing and attempted to stop the airplane. The airplane then ground-looped and departed the runway surface. During the ground loop, the right main landing gear separated and the right wing bent upward. The reported wind at the airport at the time of the accident was from 300 degrees at 13 knots. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The airplane’s owner stated that the pilot landed on the wrong runway based on the wind conditions.

## Factual narrative

While landing on runway 7, the pilot lost directional control after the tail wheel touched down. The pilot continued the landing and attempted to stop the airplane. The airplane then ground looped and departed the runway surface. During the ground loop, the right main landing gear separated and the right wing bent upward. The airport reported the wind at the time of the accident from 300 degrees at 13 knots. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The airplane owner stated his pilot landed on the wrong runway based on the wind conditions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3557Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3557Q-2019-05-04), registration cancelled 2019-05-04, S/N 188-0507, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188
- Registry model: [Cessna A188](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188) (registry code 2073004) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 188-0507
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Woodley Craig S
- Registered owner: Woodley Craig S
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: Walnut, IL
- Destination: SQI, Sterling, IL
- Airport: SQI, Whiteside County Airport, runway 07

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 15, 2012; seat: center; flight hours: 517 total, 210 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: SQI

## 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 20120508008799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120508008799A), May 8, 2012: Cessna A188, Rockfalls, IL, Substantial damage. First flight of the day. Pilot checked wx night before accident. Pilot stated he over flew airport from his base located to the south, and noticed wind from…

## Other investigations on N3557Q (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 SEA72DYG34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72DYG34), Apr 24, 1972: Cessna 188 (N3557Q), Cameron, ID, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83579. 52 KB in all.

- Record of Conversation - Airplane Owner (item 1, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368996&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Airplane%20Owner-Master.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.

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