# NTSB DEN88LA124: Cessna A-185F, N94237, Phillipsburg, MT, June 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1988, 18:00 local (Jun 4, 1988, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Phillipsburg, MT
- Location: 46.3174° N, 113.3052° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at RIDDICK FLD (U05), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3174&lon=-113.3052&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17477
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17477/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA124

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94237](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94237), registered now, S/N 18503294, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A-185F
- 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: 18503294
- Airframe hours: 1250
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul Iverson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 1987, 87 hours before
- Departed: 655, HAMILTON, MT
- Destination: UO5, PHILLIPSBURG, MT
- Airport: U05, Riddick, runway 34, 3,600 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 101 total, 35 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19880603018239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880603018239A), Jun 3, 1988: Cessna A185F, Philipsburg, MT, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on rollout. Ground looped. Gear collapsed and wing hit runway. Student carried passenger.

## Other investigations on N94237 (2)

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 ANC26LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA022), Mar 28, 2026: Cessna A185F (N94237), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing roll due to contact with wind hardened snow berm and subsequent failure of main landing gear.
- [NTSB SEA78DYE32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DYE32), Jul 23, 1978: Cessna 185 (N94237), Oak Harbor, WA, substantial damage

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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