# NTSB CEN15CA203: Cessna 195A, N1558D, Independence, IA, April 18, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 18, 2015, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Independence, IA
- Coordinates: 42.45, -91.947776 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4500&lon=-91.9478&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 13, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91050
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91050/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91050
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA203

## Probable cause

The pilot's attempt to land in strong crosswind conditions, resulting in his on-ground loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind that exceeded the crosswind limits of the airplane.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 195, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2073102), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 195, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2073102), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 195, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 195, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073102), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 195, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was landing on runway 36. After touching down, the airplane began a slow right turn. The pilot attempted to correct by applying left rudder and light braking, but the airplane departed the right side of the runway, and was substantially damaged. The wind was from 100 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 18 knots, which resulted in a 13.7 to 17.7 knot crosswind component, and a 2.5 to 3.2 knot tailwind component. Most light general aviation airplanes are limited to a direct crosswind component of 15 knots.

## Factual narrative

The pilot configured the airplane for a crosswind landing on runway 36 using cross controlled inputs. He flared and touched down in a 3-point attitude. After rolling 150 to 200 feet down the runway, the airplane began a slow right turn. He attempted to correct by applying left rudder and light braking, but the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The left main landing gear was torn off, and the left wing was bent upward after striking the ground.At the time of the accident, the wind was from 100 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 18 knots. According to AeroPlanner.com "Wind Calculator and Wind Speed Measurement," these conditions would result in a 13.7 to 17.7 knot crosswind component, and a 2.5 to 3.2 knot tailwind component. In the 1950s, maximum crosswind components were not published by airframe manufacturers, but today light general aviation airplanes are limited to a direct crosswind component of 15 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1558D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1558D), registered now, S/N 7780 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 195A
- Registry model: [Cessna 195](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-195) (registry code 2073102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs R755A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755a-series) (registry code 35006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7780
- Year built: 1954
- Airframe hours: 614
- Engines: JACOBS R755 A-2 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hedeman, Donald L.
- Registered owner: Hedeman, Donald L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KDBQ, Dubuque, IA
- Destination: KIIB, Independence, IA
- Airport: KIIB, Independence Municipal Airport, runway 36, 5,500 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 23, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,812 total, 45 in this make and model, 2,654 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days
- Pilot-rated passenger; age 83; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 22, 2010; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 11,578 total, 8,281 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 14 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: KIIB

## 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 20150418006359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150418006359A), Apr 18, 2015: Cessna 195, Independence, IA, Substantial damage. On April 18, 2015, N1558D, a Cessna 195, piloted by [privacy data omitted], departed the dubuque, Iowa airport (kdbq) for Independence, IA (kiib) at…

## Other investigations on N1558D (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 WPR10CA471](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA471), Sep 26, 2010: Cessna 195 (N1558D), Prescott, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, resulting in a runway excursion.

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 7, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91050. 2.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426014&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- E-Mail from Don J Hedeman (item 2, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426015&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=E-Mail%20from%20Don%20J%20Hedeman-Redacted.PDF
- Wind Component Calculator (item 3, .PDF, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426016&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wind%20Component%20Calculator-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Wreckage (item 4, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426017&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Bent Left Wing (item 5, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426018&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Bent%20Left%20Wing-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Left Main Landing Gear (item 6, .PDF, 175 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426019&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Left%20Main%20Landing%20Gear-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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