# NTSB CHI94LA055: Cessna 185, N581JB, Grand Island, NE, December 20, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 20, 1993, 11:52 local (17:52 UTC)
- Place: Grand Island, NE
- Location: 40.9675° N, 98.3096° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CENTRAL NEBRASKA RGNL (GRI), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9675&lon=-98.3096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9444
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9444/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA055

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane.  A factor related to the accident was the gusty quartering tailwind condition.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, taxi - to takeoff
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING TAXIED FOR TAKEOFF WHEN A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE TAIL OF THE AIRPLANE AND CAUSED IT TO WEATHER VANE.  WHEN THE AIRPLANE WEATHER VANED INTO THE WIND, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED DUE TO SIDE LOADS.

## Factual narrative

On December 20, 1993, at 1152 central standard time, a Cessna 185, N581JB, registered to John P. Bresina, experienced a ground loop followed by a main gear collapse while taxiing for takeoff at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport, Grand Island, Nebraska, while on a personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed but had not been activated at the time.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The pilot and four passengers were not injured.  The flight was to have originated from Grand Island.

The pilot reported he was taxiing on a heading of 040 the wind shifted from a crosswind to a left quartering tailwind.  He stated a gust of approximately 25 knots caught the tail of the airplane which caused the airplane to weather vane into the wind.  This resulted in too much load on the landing gear, according to the pilot, and the right main gear collapsed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N581JB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503803
- Airframe hours: 5999
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John P. Bresina
- Registered owner: John P. Bresina
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 1993, 78 hours before
- Destination: RST, ROCHESTER, MN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GRI, Central Nebraska Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,664 total, 450 in this make and model, 6,201 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRI

## 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 19931220047039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931220047039A), Dec 20, 1993: Cessna 185, Grand Island, NE, Substantial damage. Wind gust caused ground loop during taxi for takeoff. Right main gear collapsed from side loading.

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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