# NTSB GAA16CA459: Cessna A185, N185TJ, Gooding, ID, August 30, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 30, 2016, 10:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Gooding, ID
- Coordinates: 42.917221, -114.764999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9172&lon=-114.7650&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93929
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA459
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93929/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93929
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA459

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.

## 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 A185E, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 3,969 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 A185E, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 1,201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 1,514 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 1,130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing roll in variable gusting wind conditions, the tailwheel equipped airplane started an uncontrolled left turn, and he applied throttle to regain directional control with no effect. The pilot further reported that the airplane exited the runway to the left, became airborne and rolled left, and the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing roll in variable gusting wind conditions, the tailwheel equipped airplane started an uncontrolled left turn, and he applied throttle to regain directional control with no effect. The pilot further reported that the airplane exited the runway to the left, became airborne and rolled left, and the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N185TJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N185TJ), registered now, S/N 185-1532, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185 (E)
- Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-1532
- Year built: 1969
- Airframe hours: 2566.8
- Engines: Continental IO-550-D1B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 31, 2015
- Departed: GNG, Gooding, ID
- Destination: GNG, Gooding, ID
- Airport: GNG, Gooding Muni, runway 7, 4,745 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 15, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 735 total, 375 in this make and model, 735 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: KJER, 18 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 20160830015539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160830015539A), Aug 30, 2016: Cessna A185E, Gooding, ID, Substantial damage. The airman lost directional control of the aircraft on landing. The loss of control was self induced, no aircraft issues were involved.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 12, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93929. 3.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445288&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 791 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445289&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.

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