# NTSB GAA19CA055: Cessna A185, N185PR, Reardan, WA, November 9, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 9, 2018, 10:02 local (18:02 UTC) - Place: Reardan, WA - Coordinates: 47.713333, -117.919998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7133&lon=-117.9200&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 June 10, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98623 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98623/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98623 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA055 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction's improper approach and landing flare in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent loss of directional control. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 A185F, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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 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) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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 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: 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 flight instructor was evaluating a pilot receiving instruction in a tailwheel-equipped, high-performance airplane for a visual flight rules cross-country flight. He added that they considered the runway to be "a one-way strip." When they arrived at the private airstrip, the GPS indicated a 5-knot crosswind from the southeast. During the approach, the airplane was about "50 ft high" when it crossed their predetermined go-around point; they continued the landing. During the touchdown, the airplane bounced twice, and the pilot then initiated a go-around. The instructor then "reminded" the pilot that they were committed to the landing and instructed him not to go-around, so the pilot transitioned the airplane back to landing. During the subsequent touchdown, the airplane "quickly" veered right. The pilot attempted to correct the veer, but the airplane exited the right side of the airstrip onto soft ground, and it then nosed down and came to rest on the spinner and left wing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot indicated that the wind at the airport was from about 140° at 5 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 5. The flight instructor recommended that he should have taken the controls sooner in the abnormal situation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor was evaluating a pilot receiving instruction in a tailwheel-equipped, high performance airplane for a visual flight rules (VFR) cross country. He added that they considered the runway to be "a one-way strip". When they arrived at the private airstrip, the GPS indicated a 5 knot crosswind from the southeast. During the approach, they were about "50 ft high" when they crossed their predetermined go around point. During the touch down, the airplane bounced twice, and the pilot initiated a go around. The instructor then "reminded" the pilot that they were committed to the landing and instructed him not to go around, so the pilot transitioned the airplane back to landing. During the subsequent touchdown, the airplane "quickly" veered right. The pilot attempted to correct the veer, but the airplane exited the right side of the airstrip, encountered soft ground, and nosed down coming to rest on the spinner and left wing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot indicated that the wind at the airport was about 140° at 5 knots. The pilot was landing on runway 5. The flight instructor recommended that he should have taken the controls sooner in the abnormal situation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N185PR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N185PR), registered now, S/N 18502889, built 1976 (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: 18502889 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 8381.6 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, doing business as Moody Aviation - Registered owner: Proclaim Aviation Ministries - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 5, 2018 - Departed: SFF, Spokane, WA - Destination: WA08, Reardan, WA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: WA08, Zwainz Farms, runway 05, 2,600 × 45 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 57; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 25, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 7,299 total, 838 in this make and model, 6,511 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 11, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 362 total, 26 in this make and model, 238 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KSKA, 12 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 20181109021629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181109021629A), Nov 9, 2018: Cessna A185F, Reardan, WA, Substantial damage. During an pre-employment preparation flight, a short field landing was attempted. Near the touchdown point, the pilot under evaluation (pue) thought the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 18, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98623. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471101&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 362 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471102&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.