# NTSB ERA11CA356: Cessna A185F, N714TX, Trinca, NJ, June 18, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 18, 2011, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Trinca, NJ - Coordinates: 40.298877, -74.521186 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2989&lon=-74.5212&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 80870 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA356 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80870/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80870 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA356 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, and the flight instructor's inadequate remedial action, which resulted in a ground-loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot recently purchased the tailwheel airplane; however, he did not possess a tailwheel endorsement and was receiving flight instruction in his airplane. The pilot stated that he landed on a turf runway, and shortly after touchdown, the airplane rolled about 800 feet and the left main landing gear contacted a divot in the turf, which caused the airplane to yaw left. He tried to correct the yaw by applying right rudder and brake. The flight instructor then also applied rudder, aileron, and elevator control; however, they were unable to regain control and the airplane ground-looped. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the right wing, right main landing gear, and right side fuselage. The pilot further stated that the wind was calm and the airplane did not experience any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. ## Factual narrative The pilot recently purchased the tailwheel airplane; however, he did not possess a tailwheel endorsement and was receiving flight instruction in his airplane. The pilot stated that he landed on a turf runway, and shortly after touchdown, the airplane rolled about 800 feet and the left main landing gear contacted a divot in the turf, which caused the airplane to yaw left. He tried to correct the yaw by applying right rudder and brake. The flight instructor then also applied rudder, aileron, and elevator control; however, they were unable to regain control and the airplane ground-looped. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the right wing, right main landing gear, and right side fuselage. The pilot further stated that the wind was calm and the airplane did not experience any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: N714TX (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18504423 - Airframe hours: 3313 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Pascal Boillat - Registered owner: Pascario Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 2010, 20 hours before - Departed: CDW, Caldwell, NJ - Destination: 13N, Trinca, NJ - Airport: 13N, Trinca Airport, runway 06, 1,924 × 135 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 24,500 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 23,300 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 2, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,820 total, 3 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: FWN, 15 nm away ## 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 20110618015409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110618015409A), Jun 18, 2011: Cessna A185F, Andover, NJ, Substantial damage. Pilot [privacy data omitted] was providing checkout training in the aircraft to the [privacy data omitted]. They departed from home base at kcdw and flew to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 12, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80870. 6.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 6.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350666&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 2, .PDF, 11 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350667&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF 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.