# NTSB FTW03LA162: Cessna A185F, N6578E, Guymon, OK, May 25, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 2003, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Guymon, OK - Coordinates: 36.685001, -101.507774 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6850&lon=-101.5078&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57074 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA162 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57074/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA162 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind, and his failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the crosswind. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis The private pilot encountered a 10 knot crosswind while landing on runway 18. He was not able to maintain directional control after the airplane veered left and departed the runway. No mechanical defects or anomalies were reported or found with the airplane. He had reported over 1136 hours of total flight time which included 432 hours in make and model. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 2003, at 1745 central daylight time, a Cessna A185F tailwheel-equipped airplane, N6578E, was substantially damaged following a loss of directional control while landing at the Guymon Municipal Airport (GUY), near Guymon, Oklahoma. The non-instrument rated private pilot was not injured and his passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Hitch Enterprises, Inc., of Guymon, Oklahoma. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from GUY approximately 1630. The pilot reported that he flew a visual approach to runway 18 at GUY. The airplane touched down on the main gear at 65 knots, rolled down the runway, and while at approximately 30 knots, the airplane veered to the left of centerline. The pilot added that the airplane "felt like the tail came around." The airplane traveled for an additional 15 feet before coming to rest 10 feet from the east edge of runway 18. The 1,136-hour pilot reported to have accumulated a total of 432 hours in the same make and model of airplane. Examination of the wreckage revealed structural damage to the right wing and the right main landing gear attaching point. No mechanical defects were reported by the pilot and no anomalies were found with the airplane that could have prevented normal flight operations. The weather observation at GUY, at 1653, reported the winds from 120 degrees at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: N6578E (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna A185F - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18504055 - Airframe hours: 2581 - Engines: Continental IO-520D30 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hitch Enterprises - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 2002, 46 hours before - Departed: GUY, Guymon - Destination: GUY - Airport: GUY, Guymon Municipal, runway 18, 5,900 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 7, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,136 total, 432 in this make and model, 1,061 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: GUY ## 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 20030525035089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030525035089A), May 25, 2003: Cessna A185F, Guymon, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot lost control upon landing and the aircraft was damaged during ground loop. No injuries were sustained. There was no post crash fire. 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.