# NTSB GAA18CA023: Cessna A185, N19EC, Tacoma, WA, October 24, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 24, 2017, 14:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Tacoma, WA - Coordinates: 47.268054, -122.578056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2681&lon=-122.5781&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96244 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96244/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96244 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA023 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll. ## 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 A185E, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072818), [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 A185E, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: 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, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: 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, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped, high-performance airplane, he performed a three-point landing about 70 mph. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right. The pilot reported that he applied left rudder and left aileron to keep the airplane on the runway. However, the airplane exited the right side of the runway and then ground looped to the right, and the left wing and left elevator struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing spar, ribs, aileron, and the left elevator. The METAR at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 010° at 7 knots. The pilot reported that the valve stem from the left main landing gear tire failed, causing the loss of control. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped, high performance airplane, he performed a three-point landing about 70 miles per hour. During the landing roll on runway 35, the airplane veered to the right. The pilot reported that he applied left rudder and left aileron to keep the airplane on the runway. However, the airplane exited the right side of the runway, and the airplane ground looped to the right, and the left wing and left elevator struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing spar, ribs, aileron and the left elevator. The METAR at the accident airport, reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 010° at 7kts. The pilot reported that the valve stem from the left main landing gear tire failed causing the loss of control. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19EC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N19EC), registered now, S/N 185-1306, built 1967 (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-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 185-1306 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 3356.66 - Engines: Teledyne Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Blue Skies Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Blue Skies Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 2017 - Departed: TIW, Tacoma, WA - Destination: TIW, Tacoma, WA - Airport: TIW, Tacoma Narrows, runway 35, 5,002 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 8, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,434 total, 75 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: KTIW ## 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 20171024014999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171024014999A), Oct 24, 2017: Cessna A185E, Gig Harbor, WA, Substantial damage. During the landing roll out the left main tire ruptured. This caused the aircraft to swerve off the side of the runway. Damage occurred to the left main gear,… ## Other investigations on N19EC (2) 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. - [NTSB GAA19CA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA100), Dec 14, 2018: Cessna A185 (N19EC), Tacoma, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll and his subsequent overapplication of left rudder, which resulted in the right wing impacting the runway. - [NTSB SEA97LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA024), Nov 3, 1996: Cessna A185E (N19EC), Price, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96244. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462469&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 470 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462470&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.