# NTSB ERA14CA185: Cessna 205A, N4862U, Leesburg, VA, April 8, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 8, 2014, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Leesburg, VA - Coordinates: 39.078056, -77.557502 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0781&lon=-77.5575&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89024 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89024/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89024 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA185 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during landing, resulting in a runway excursion and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210-5A(205A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073204), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210-5A(205A), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073204), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210-5A(205A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2073204), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210-5A(205A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2073204), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Meteorological services: meteo equip coverage/avail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03013010): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Availability of related info; cases with it: [Cessna 210-5A(205A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03013010/cases.md?model=2073204), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03013010/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 210-5A(205A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2073204), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 210-5A(205A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073204), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 210-5A(205A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073204), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 210-5A(205A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2073204), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot's origination airport, which was 21 nautical miles from the destination airport, there was a 6 knot wind when he departed. The pilot flew west and encountered turbulence after clearing the Washington D.C. Special Flight Rules Area. Twenty five minutes into the flight, the pilot discovered that his destination airport, which was several miles away, was not reporting wind. Expecting wind similar to what he experienced at his originating airport, the pilot proceeded to the destination airport and entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg. In order to maintain his course he entered a crab angle. The pilot turned to the base leg of the traffic pattern and then established himself on final approach where he observed about a 12 knot wind indication from the windsock. He maneuvered the airplane into a left wing low attitude with full right rudder in order to line up with the centerline of runway 35. Once over the runway, the pilot flared the airplane nose; however, a strong wind gust pushed it to the right. He applied full power to initiate a go around maneuver, but the wind continued to carry the airplane to the right. The left main landing gear touched down in "soggy" grass terrain and the nose landing gear subsequently impacted the ground. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall, fuselage, and left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the wind at Washington-Dulles International Airport was reported from 300 at 19 knots gusting to 32 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot's origination airport, which was 21 nautical miles from the destination airport, there was a 6 knot wind when he departed. The pilot flew west and encountered turbulence after clearing the Washington D.C. Special Flight Rules Area. Twenty five minutes into the flight, the pilot discovered that his destination airport, which was several miles away, was not reporting wind. Expecting wind similar to what he experienced at his originating airport, the pilot proceeded to the destination airport and entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg. In order to maintain his course he entered a crab angle. The pilot turned to the base leg of the traffic pattern and then established himself on final approach where he observed about a 12 knot wind indication from the windsock. He maneuvered the airplane into a left wing low attitude with full right rudder in order to line up with the centerline of runway 35. Once over the runway, the pilot flared the airplane nose; however, a strong wind gust pushed it to the right. He applied full power to initiate a go around maneuver, but the wind continued to carry the airplane to the right. The left main landing gear touched down in "soggy" grass terrain and the nose landing gear subsequently impacted the ground. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall, fuselage, and left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the wind at Washington-Dulles International Airport was reported from 300 at 19 knots gusting to 32 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4862U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4862U), registered now, S/N 205-0562, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 205A - Registry model: [Cessna 210-5A(205A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210-5a-205a) (registry code 2073204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 205-0562 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 4354 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-470-S 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert Bailey, JR - Registered owner: Robert Bailey, JR - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2014, 8 hours before - Departed: HEF, MANASSAS, VA - Destination: JYO, Leesburg, VA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: JYO, Leesburg Executive, runway 35, 5,499 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 14, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 183 total, 6 in this make and model, 89 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 19 knots, gusting 32 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.55 inHg - Observed at: IAD, 10 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 20140408004289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140408004289A), Apr 8, 2014: Cessna 210-5A(205A), Leesburg, VA, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was attempting to land on runway 35 at jyo with crosswinds of 15 knots gusting to 25 knots. A gust of wind forced the aircraft over the… ## Other investigations on N4862U (1) 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 CHI66D0089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66D0089), Jun 22, 1965: Cessna 205A (N4862U), Madison, IN, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 24, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89024. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 744 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411462&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement to FAA (item 2, .PDF, 285 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411463&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20to%20FAA-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum For Record - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411464&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum For Record - Weather IAD (item 4, .PDF, 211 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411465&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20Weather%20IAD-Master.PDF - Memorandum For Record - Weather HEF (item 5, .PDF, 280 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411466&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20Weather%20HEF-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Accident Airplane (item 6, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411467&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Accident%20Airplane-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.