# NTSB GAA17CA245: Cessna 185, N4017Y, Marsing, ID, April 23, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 23, 2017, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Marsing, ID
- Coordinates: 43.569442, -116.776664 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5694&lon=-116.7767&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95066/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95066
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA245

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, the failure of the right main landing gear wheel, and a ground loop.

## 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 185, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 185, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 185, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot in the tailwheel-gear-equipped airplane reported that he set up for a wheel landing to an asphalt runway. During touchdown, the airplane bounced three times, and the right landing gear wheel split into two pieces. The airplane ground looped to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The right wing tip and the elevator struck the ground, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right elevator.

## Factual narrative

The pilot in the tailwheel gear-equipped airplane reported that he setup for a wheel landing to an asphalt runway. During touch down the airplane bounced three times and the right landing gear wheel split into two pieces. The airplane ground looped to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The right wing tip and the elevator struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right elevator.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4017Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4017Y), registered now, S/N 185-0217, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185 (F)
- Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-0217
- Year built: 1961
- Airframe hours: 6500
- Engines: Continnental 10470 285 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: February 1, 2017
- Departed: ID40, Melba, ID
- Destination: Gordon Valley, ID
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ID40, Sunrise Skypark, runway ID40, 2,260 × 40 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review April 20, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total, 250 in this make and model, 4,365 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observed at: KEUL, 8 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 20170423003479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170423003479A), Apr 23, 2017: Cessna 185, Melba, ID, Substantial damage. The pilot was performing a wheel landing on runway 030. During touchdown the aircraft bounced back into the air. The pilot held full aft elevator in an attempt…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95066. 2.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456615&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456616&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%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.

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