# NTSB DEN89LA188: Cessna 185, N9823X, Durango, CO, August 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1989, 14:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Location: 37.1515° N, 107.7538° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DURANGO-LA PLATA COUNTY (DRO), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1515&lon=-107.7538&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17761
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17761/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA188

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.  THE WIND CONDITION WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## 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
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS ON RWY 2. HE RPRTD THAT THE WIND SOCK WAS INDICATING A STRONG X-WIND WHEN HE LANDED. HE ESTIMATED THE WIND VELOCITY WAS 20 KTS. DURING THE LANDING, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE ACFT & IT GROUND LOOPED. THE 1350 MDT WIND WAS FROM 290 DEG AT 4 GUSTING 20 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9823X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9823X), registered now, S/N 185-0023, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1850023
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Heath, Jack L.
- Registered owner: Jack Heath
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 1989
- Departed: DUR
- Destination: DUR
- Airport: DRO, La Plata County, runway 2, 9,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 750 total, 600 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DUR

## Other investigations on N9823X (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 DEN99LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA045), Mar 1, 1999: Cessna 185 (N9823X), Durango, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and inadvertently allowing the airplane to ground loop. Factors were gusty crosswind conditions, pertinent crosswind information not made available…
- [NTSB DEN92LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA058), Jun 13, 1992: Cessna 185 (N9823X), Durango, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER USE OF BRAKES. FACTORS WERE: POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND EXCESSIVE LANDING SPEED.

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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