# NTSB CEN25LA153: Cessna 185, N1526F, Wausau, WI, April 7, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 7, 2025, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Wausau, WI - Coordinates: 44.924417, -89.62261 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9244&lon=-89.6226&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: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200011 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200011/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200011 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA153 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in shifting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 185D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072812), [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 185D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 185D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072812), [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 185D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072812), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on runway 5 with reported strong and variable wind conditions. About 25 miles from the airport, the pilot obtained automated weather which reported the wind from 340° at 18 knots (kts) and gusting to 25 kts. When he rechecked the weather about 5 miles from the airport, the wind had shifted to 010° at 18 kts and gusting to 25 kts, so he maneuvered to land on runway 5. A few seconds before touchdown, the pilot perceived that the wind had shifted to favor runway 31. The airplane touched down, bounced, and the pilot applied power for a go-around; however, he lost rudder effectiveness and control of the airplane. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the left, the right main landing gear wheel separated, and the right wing contacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the rear spar. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1526F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1526F), registered now, S/N 1850869, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 185 (D) - Registry model: [Cessna 185D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185d) (registry code 2072812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1850869 - Year built: 1965 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 260 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kemper Karl R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KANJ, Sault Ste. Marie, MI - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: AUW, Wausau Downtown, runway 05, 3,041 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private, remote; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 16, 2023; seat: left; flight hours: 1,018 total, 676 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 14 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft broken - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KAUW - METAR: KAUW 071954Z AUTO 36014G24KT 10SM BKN048 01/M13 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP193 T00061133 ## 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 20250407006559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250407006559A), Apr 7, 2025: Cessna 185D, Wausau, WI, Minor damage. On 4/21/2025 an ops inspector in the mke office interviewed the PIC. The PIC stated that at 25 miles out winds were 340 at 18 gusting to 25. He did a standard… ## Other investigations on N1526F (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 NYC89LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA181), Jul 31, 1989: Cessna 185D (N1526F), Wolfeboro, NH, substantial damage. Probable cause: LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES & BOATS) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200011. 579 KB in all. - NTSB form 6120 not signed (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18692336&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Form%206120%20refused-Rel.pdf - Statements (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18694033&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Records%20of%20Conversation-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18706992&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20Kemper-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 372 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18693600&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA153%20photos%202-Rel.pdf - Kauw ASOS archived data (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18692346&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=KAUW%20ASOS%20WX-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.