# NTSB GAA16CA217: Cessna A185, N4095A, Chesterfield, MO, April 9, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 9, 2016, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Chesterfield, MO - Coordinates: 38.659999, -90.64611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6600&lon=-90.6461&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93106 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93106/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93106 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA217 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop and a wing strike. ## 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: [Cessna A185F, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Cessna A185F, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 75 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll in gusty crosswind conditions, the airplane started to veer to the right. The pilot further reported that he applied left rudder and brake, but the airplane ground looped to the right and the left wing struck the runway. The left wing and left elevator were substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observing system at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 080 degrees true at 7 knots, for the landing on runway 26. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll in gusty crosswind conditions, the airplane started to veer to the right. The pilot further reported that he applied left rudder and brake, but the airplane ground looped to the right and the left wing struck the runway. The left wing and left elevator were substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observing system at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 080 degrees true at 7 knots, for the landing on runway 26. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4095A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4095A), registered now, S/N 18503910, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185 (F) - 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: 18503910 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 10404.2 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Earth Angel Aviators Inc. - Registered owner: Earth Angel Aviators Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2015 - Departed: SUS, Chesterfield, MO - Destination: SUS, Chesterfield, MO - Airport: SUS, Spirit Of St Louis, runway 26L, 7,485 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 31, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 614 total, 242 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 4.1 in the last 90 days, 0.5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KSUS ## 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 20160409003119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160409003119A), Apr 9, 2016: Cessna A185F, Chesterfield, MO, Substantial damage. Pilot was cleared to land on runway 26L. The pilot stated that the wind was reporting 350 at 6 knots. On the rollout the pilot said that a right crosswind, and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 9, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93106. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 973 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441001&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441002&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.