# NTSB GAA19CA100: Cessna A185, N19EC, Tacoma, WA, December 14, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 14, 2018, 09:00 local (17:00 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 August 27, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98782 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98782/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98782 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA100 ## 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. ## 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) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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) - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/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: 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: 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 The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane veered right. He applied left rudder, and the airplane straightened out, but it then began to veer right again. He stated that he then overcorrected with excessive left rudder control and that the right wingtip impacted the runway. The right-wing trailing edge spar was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tail-wheel equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right. The pilot applied left rudder control, and the airplane straightened out, but then began to veer right again. He stated that he then overcorrected with excessive left rudder control and the right wingtip impacted the ground. The right-wing trailing edge spar was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## 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 - Engines: 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 - Departed: TIW, Tacoma, WA - Destination: TIW, Tacoma, WA - Airport: TIW, Tacoma Narrows, runway 17, 5,002 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.60 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 20181214023549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181214023549A), Dec 14, 2018: Cessna A185E, Tacoma, WA, Substantial damage. On December 14, 2018 at approximately 1655Z, N19EC, operated by [privacy data omitted] veered off the east side of runway 17 during landing. Pilot indicated… ## 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 GAA18CA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA023), Oct 24, 2017: Cessna A185 (N19EC), Tacoma, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll. - [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 July 23, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98782. 514 KB in all. - Record of Conversation (item 1, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485522&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 457 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485523&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.