# NTSB CEN21LA152: Cessna A185F, N185RF, Pueblo, CO, March 7, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 7, 2021, 13:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Pueblo, CO - Coordinates: 38.287329, -104.49905 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2873&lon=-104.4990&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 102731 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102731/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102731 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA152 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control in gusting crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md) - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/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 A185F, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 75 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had landed in gusting wind conditions with 40° of flaps extended, when during the landing roll as the airplane reached the taxiway, a wind gust lifted the right wing, and the left wing struck the ground. After several seconds the right wing lowered, and he taxied the airplane to the ramp. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot had landed on runway 08R and was about to turn onto taxiway A4 with the wind from the southeast at 11 knots with gusts to 26 knots. The pilot reported that he should have been proactive in utilizing the ailerons for crosswind control, and that he should have raised the flaps sooner. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he completed a landing in gusting wind conditions with 40° of flaps extended. During the landing roll as the airplane reached the taxiway, a wind gust lifted the right wing and the left wing struck the ground. After several seconds the right wing lowered and he taxied to the ramp. He added that there no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The pilot recommended that he should have been proactive in utilizing the ailerons for crosswind control, and that he should have raised the flaps sooner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N185RF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N185RF), registered now, S/N 18502942, built 1976 (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: 18502942 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 6404.9 - Engines: Continental Motors TIO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kwesell Michael R - Registered owner: Kwesell Michael R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 2020 - Departed: KFLY, Colorado Springs, CO - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: PUB, Pueblo Meml, runway 08R/26L, 10,498 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review June 28, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 406 total, 257 in this make and model, 242 as pilot in command, 142 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KPUB - METAR: KPUB 072053Z 13014G19KT 10SM CLR 22/M12 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP145 T02171122 58019 ## 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 20210307001019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210307001019A), Mar 7, 2021: Cessna A185F, Pueblo, CO, Substantial damage. On March 7th 2021 N185RF, a Cessna 185, was taxiing after landing and experienced a crosswind gust that caused the plane's right wing to lift and left wing to… ## Other investigations on N185RF (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 CHI92LA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA256), Aug 26, 1992: Cessna A185F (N185RF), St. Cloud, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ABORT TAKEOFF BEFORE OVERRUNNING THE LAKE EDGE. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 19, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102731. 6.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 6.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12051380&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 221 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12053343&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%20Photos-Rel.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. --- 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.