# NTSB CHI05LA064: Cessna A185F, N1767R, Minneapolis, MN, February 3, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 3, 2005, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Minneapolis, MN - Coordinates: 45.145, -93.211387 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1450&lon=-93.2114&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA, FLight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 60952 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60952/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA064 ## Probable cause A failure of the tail wheel locking mechanism which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,tailwheel lock - worn (cause) - landing gear,tailwheel lock - failure (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane collided with the terrain following a loss of directional control after touchdown. The pilot reported that after touching down, as the airplane slowed, it began turning to the right. The pilot stated he already had left aileron and rudder applied because there was a slight crosswind. However, he applied more aileron and rudder but the turn became more severe. He stated he tried the left brake to no avail. He stated the airplane was veering about 30 degrees off the runway centerline and he applied right brake to try and slow the airplane. The pilot stated the airplane began to skid as it traveled to the side of the runway at a speed of 35 to 40 knots. The pilot stated the airplane tipped to the left when it contacted the slushy grass. The left wing and left horizontal stabilizer contacted the ground prior to the airplane settling back on the main gear. The pilot stated the airplane continued to turn until it came to rest facing the runway. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed the tail wheel steering pawl was worn to the point that it would not sufficiently lock the locking collar allowing the tail wheel to castor on landing. ## Factual narrative On February 3, 2005, at 1500 central standard time, a Cessna A185F, N1767R, collided with the terrain following a loss of directional control, while landing on runway 36 (4,855 feet by 100 feet, dry asphalt) at the Anoka County-Blaine Airport (ANE), Minneapolis, Minnesota. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from the Konshok Airport (PKD), Park Rapids, Minnesota, at 1350. The pilot reported that after touching down he raised the flaps to put more weight on the aircraft wheels. He stated that as the airplane slowed, it began turning to the right. The pilot stated he already had left aileron and rudder applied because there was a slight crosswind. However, he applied more aileron and rudder but the turn became more severe. He stated he tried the left brake to no avail. He stated the airplane was veering about 30 degrees off the runway centerline and he applied right brake to try and slow the airplane. The pilot stated the airplane began to skid as it traveled to the side of the runway at a speed of 35 to 40 knots. The pilot stated the airplane tipped to the left when it contacted the slushy grass. The left wing and left horizontal stabilizer contacted the ground prior to the airplane settling back on the main gear. The pilot stated the airplane continued to turn until it came to rest facing the runway. The pilot stated he purchased the airplane in December 2004, and flew it for the first time during the week prior to the accident. His first flight consisted of five full stop landings with an instructor. He stated that both he and the instructor noted that the airplane was not taxiing right and that the left brake felt "soft." He stated he flew the airplane to ANE and on February 1, 2005, he made six full stop landings in the airplane at ANE. The pilot stated that the airplane was not handling "perfect" during this flight, but that it was "OK." The pilot stated that on the following day he flew the airplane back to PKD with a list of discrepancies that needed to be fixed. He stated the brakes were on the list. He stated that when he landed PKD the left brake was not working and the airplane veered on the runway coming to rest facing the runway edge. The pilot stated that following the maintenance he taxied and test flew the airplane, and the brakes functioned properly. It was on his return flight back to ANE following the maintenance that the accident occurred. Post accident inspection of the airplane was conducted by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The inspector reported the tail wheel steering pawl was worn to the point that it would not sufficiently lock the locking collar allowing the tail wheel to castor on landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1767R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1767R), registered now, S/N 18502487, built 1974 (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: 18502487 - Airframe hours: 2787 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Seaplane Rental LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 2005, 6 hours before - Departed: PKD, Park Rapids, MN - Destination: ANE, Anoka, MN - Airport: ANE, Anoka County, runway 36, 4,855 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 6, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 907 total, 6 in this make and model, 798 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: ANE ## 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 20050203002469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050203002469A), Feb 3, 2005: Cessna A185F, Minneapolis, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) While landing at Anoka county airport (ane), following a VFR flight from park rapids, MN (pkd), pilot reported that the left brake failed on landing… 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.