# NTSB DEN99LA045: Cessna 185, N9823X, Durango, CO, March 1, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 1, 1999, 16:02 local (23:02 UTC) - Place: Durango, CO - Coordinates: 37.269557, -107.880462 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2696&lon=-107.8805&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45812 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45812/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA045 ## 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 by the manufacturer, and FAA's inadequate certification and approval of the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - information unavailable, manufacturer (contributing factor) - inadequate certification/approval,aircraft, faa(organization) (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot said the wind was 'steady at 14 mph, gusting to 24 mph,' between 240 and 260 degrees, as he attempted to make a crosswind wheel landing on runway 20. When the airplane touched down, the left wheel 'skidded' when left brake was applied. The airplane ground looped and departed the right side of the runway, incurring substantial damage to the left wing. The airplane was FAA certificated under Type Certificate 3A24. No maximum or demonstrated crosswind component is listed in the Pilot's Operating Handbook. ## Factual narrative On March 1, 1999, at 1602 mountain standard time, Cessna 185, N9823X, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing roll at the Durango-La Plata County Airport, Durango, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Durango approximately 1545. According his accident report, the pilot said the wind was "steady at 14 mph, gusting to 24 mph," between 240 and 260 degrees, as he attempted to make a crosswind wheel landing on runway 20. When the airplane touched down, the left wheel "skidded" when left brake was applied. The airplane ground looped and departed the right side of the runway, incurring substantial damage to the left wing. N9823X, a 1961 Cessna 185, was certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration under Type Certificate 3A24. No maximum or demonstrated crosswind component is listed in the Pilot's Operating Handbook. According to FAA's Flight Standards District Office in Salt Lake City, Utah, this was the pilot's fourth accident and the third one in this particular airplane, to wit: August 16, 1989 Cessna 185 N9823X August 16, 1990 Mooney M20 N100JM June 13, 1992 Cessna 185 N9823X March 1, 1999 Cessna 185 N9823X ## 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: 185-0023 - Airframe hours: 2301 - Engines: Continental IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jack L. Heath - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 1999, 13 hours before - Departed: DRO - Airport: DRO, Durango-La Plata County, runway 20, 9,201 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 974 total, 850 in this make and model, 974 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 13 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DRO ## 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 19990301001949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990301001949A), Mar 1, 1999: Cessna 185, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Pilot was practicing touch and go landings, and the acft ground looped on the rwy after landing and sustained substantial damage. (.19) on March 1, 1999, at… ## 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 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. - [NTSB DEN89LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA188), Aug 6, 1989: Cessna 185 (N9823X), Durango, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. THE WIND CONDITION WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. 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.