# NTSB GAA17CA362: Cessna A185, N4356R, Henderson, NV, June 23, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 23, 2017, 16:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Henderson, NV - Coordinates: 35.974166, -115.135276 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9742&lon=-115.1353&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95427 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA362 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95427/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95427 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA362 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting wind 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 operation; 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) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: 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: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing as the tailwheel began to settle, a "massive and unexpected gust of wind" lifted the left wing. He immediately attempted to recover by adding rudder inputs; however, the wind shifted to a "quartering tailwind," and the rear of the airplane whipped rapidly to the right. He applied the brakes as the airplane encountered a downhill slope on the left side of the runway, and it then came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 360° at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot landed on runway 35L. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the landing as the tailwheel began to settle, a "massive and unexpected gust of wind" lifted the left wing. He immediately attempted to recover by adding rudder inputs, however the wind shifted to a "quartering tailwind", and the rear of the airplane whipped rapidly to the right. He applied the brakes as the airplane encountered a downhill slope on the left side of the runway, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located on the accident airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind from 360° at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot landed on runway 35L. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4356R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4356R), registered now, S/N 18502939 (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: 18502939 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 647.1 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D-22 375 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 21, 2016 - Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA - Destination: HND, Las Vegas, NV - Airport: HND, Henderson Executive, runway 35L, 6,501 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 25, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 2,200 total, 145.1 in this make and model, 83.3 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 12 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 111 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: KHND ## 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 20170623008599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170623008599A), Jun 23, 2017: Cessna A185F, Henderson, NV, Substantial damage. G/a acc @hnd...N4356R,C185, 2POB/NO inj, veered off side of RWY35L and flipped over; no fire, dmg substanstial. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 14, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95427. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 723 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455240&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 737 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455241&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 502 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455242&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.