# NTSB GAA17CA271: Cessna A185, N873SL, Big Rapids, MI, May 7, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 7, 2017, 10:10 local (14:10 UTC) - Place: Big Rapids, MI - Coordinates: 43.722778, -85.504165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7228&lon=-85.5042&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: 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): 95138 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95138/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95138 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA271 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to obtain updated weather information while practicing takeoffs and landings and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions. ## 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 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) - [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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); 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) - [Use of equip/info: use of available resources](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063035/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063035/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); 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) - [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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the tailwheel-gear-equipped airplane reported that he was practicing takeoffs and landings and had accomplished a wheel landing on runway 27. During the landing roll, the tailwheel contacted the ground, and the airplane encountered a wind gust from the right. The pilot recalled that the right aileron was into the wind with left rudder and no power applied. The right wing rose, and the airplane began to weathervane. He added full engine power and full left rudder. The "right main" descended back to the ground, but the airplane exited the runway to the right. The airplane encountered a berm and became airborne. The airplane descended to the ground and spun about its nose to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar and the left main landing gear attachment points. The pilot reported that, when he checked the weather before he began practicing takeoffs and landings, the wind was from 320° at 10 knots but, about the time of the accident, the METAR reported that wind was from 350° at 15 knots gusting to 22 knots. The crosswind component was 18 knots. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot remarked that the accident could have been prevented by setting "personal limitations" and by checking the Automatic Terminal Information System "every two pattern practices." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the tailwheel gear-equipped airplane reported that he had accomplished a wheel landing on runway 27. During the landing roll, the tailwheel contacted the ground and the airplane encountered a wind gust from the right. The pilot recalled that the right aileron was into the wind and with left rudder and no power applied. The right wing ascended and the airplane began to weathervane. He added full engine power and full left rudder. The right main descended back to the ground but the airplane exited the runway to the right. The airplane encountered a berm and became airborne. The airplane descended back to the ground and spun about the nose to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar and the left main landing gear attachment points. The METAR reported that about the time of the accident, wind was from 350 ° at 15 kts. gusting to 22 kts. The crosswind component was 18 kts. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot remarked that the accident could have been prevented by setting personal limitations and by checking the Automatic Terminal Information System every 2 patterns. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N873SL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N873SL-2019-04-16), registration cancelled 2019-04-16, S/N 18503380, built 1977 (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: 18503380 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 3675 - Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 8D4, Sparta, MI - Destination: 8D4, Sparta, MI - Airport: RQB, Roben-Hood, runway 27, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 41; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 21, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 186 total, 26 in this make and model, 94 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 15 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KRQB ## 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 20170507003949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170507003949A), May 7, 2017: Cessna A185F, Big Rapids Town, MI, Substantial damage. The pilot stated he made several successful touch and goes on runway 32. The pilot said the wind was reported as 320@10. The pilot decided he was going to… ## 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=95138. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456620&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456621&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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.