# NTSB CEN23LA189: Cessna A185f, N4742E, Grand Junction, CO, May 16, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 16, 2023, 14:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Grand Junction, CO - Coordinates: 39.127443, -108.53082 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1274&lon=-108.5308&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 174545 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA189 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/174545/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=174545 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA189 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with gusting wind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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-flare/touchdown: 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while performing a 3-point landing, a wind gust from the right caused the airplane to “balloon” and bounce during the initial touchdown. During the attempted bounce recovery, the tundra tires firmly grabbed the grooved runway resulting in a ground loop. During the ground loop, the left wing struck the ground which resulted in substantial damage to the wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident malfunctions or failures with the airplane which would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 29 with wind from 330° at 7 knots gusting to 17 knots. The pilot stated that he was unfamiliar flying this airplane with large tundra tires. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4742E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4742E), registered now, S/N 18503853 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185f - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18503853 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 4104.5 - Engines: Continental IO-550D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 2022 - Departed: KSDL, Scottsdale, AZ - Destination: KGJT, Grand Junction, CO - Airport: GJT, Grand Junction Regional Airport, runway 29, 10,503 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 14, 2022; seat: left; restraint: none; flight hours: 9,065 total, 900 in this make and model, 8,865 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 7 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.16 inHg - Observed at: KGJT, 1 nm away - METAR: METAR KGJT 162053Z 33007G17KT 10SM CLR 27/03 A3016 RMK AO2 SLP153 ## 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 20230516007209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230516007209A), May 16, 2023: Cessna A185F, Grand Junction, CO, Substantial damage. The pilot stated the plane was being transported from ksdl to kimt in Michigan’s upper peninsula. The pilot was experienced in this aircraft, which he had… ## Other investigations on N4742E (4) 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 CEN12CA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA305), May 16, 2012: Cessna A185F (N4742E), Crystal Falls, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's abrupt maneuver to avoid deer that unexpectedly ran into the airplane's path during the landing roll. - [NTSB LAX93LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA065), Dec 13, 1992: Cessna 185F (N4742E), Lanai, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THAT OBSTRUCTIONS WERE HIDDEN IN THE GRASS OF THE LANDING AREA CHOSEN BY THE PILOT FOR THE FORCED LANDING. - [NTSB ANC88LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA090), Jul 11, 1988: Cessna A185F (N4742E), Georgetown, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN80DTE05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80DTE05), Nov 13, 1979: Cessna 185 (N4742E), Greeley, CO, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=174545. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15704494&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 372 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15704717&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.