# NTSB FTW90LA053: Cessna A185F, N8785Z, Houston, TX, January 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1990, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.369804, -95.449539 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3698&lon=-95.4495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23093/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA053

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  THE UNFAVORABLE WIND WAS A RELATED 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON RWY 9, A GUST OF WIND RAISED THE RIGHT WING AND THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR LIFTED OFF OF THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE VEERED LEFT OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. WINDS WERE REPORTED AS BEING FROM 160 DEGREES AT 15 GUSTING 20 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8785Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8785Z), registered now, S/N 18502920, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18502420
- Airframe hours: 467
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Keyes, William O.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1989, 47 hours before
- Airport: AXH, Houston Southwest, runway 9, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,314 total, 40 in this make and model, 1,314 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900114000599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900114000599A), Jan 14, 1990: Cessna A185F, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Gust of wind lifted a wing on landing roll. Aircraft veered off runway and collided with drainage ditch.

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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