# NTSB GAA19CA244: Cessna A185, N7711L, Valparaiso, IN, May 4, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 4, 2019, 13:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Valparaiso, IN
- Coordinates: 41.453887, -87.006942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4539&lon=-87.0069&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 3, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 99382
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99382/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99382
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA244

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper throttle application and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll in gusting left crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop.

## 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)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: 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)
- [Takeoff: 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)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was performing stop-and-go takeoffs and landings. During a takeoff roll, the tailwheel lifted off the ground, and the airplane encountered a significant wind from the left. He applied left aileron and right rudder to compensate for the wind, but the airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and right aileron. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that a "slower application of the throttle and keeping the tailwheel on the ground longer during the takeoff roll, will prevent this type of accident from occurring in the future."

## Factual narrative

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, he was performing stop and go take offs and landings. During the takeoff roll, the tailwheel came off the ground, and the airplane encountered a significant wind from the left. He applied left aileron, and right rudder to compensate for the wind, but the airplane ground-looped to the left. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the right aileron. The airport's Meteorological Aerodrome Report, about the time of the accident, reported that the wind was from 030° at 8 knots and gusting to 14 knots. Additionally, the wind was reported as variable between 340° and 070°. The airplane took off from runway 9. The pilot added that a, "slower application of the throttle and keeping the tailwheel on the ground longer during the takeoff roll, will prevent this type of accident from occurring in the future."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7711L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7711L), registered now, S/N 185-1521, built 1969 (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: 185-1521
- Year built: 1969
- Airframe hours: 3548
- Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 2018
- Departed: VPZ, VALPARAISO, IN
- Destination: VPZ, VALPARAISO, IN
- Airport: VPZ, Porter County Rgnl, runway 09, 7,001 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 6, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 187 total, 24 in this make and model, 61 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Observed at: KVPZ

## 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 20190504003879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190504003879A), May 4, 2019: Cessna A185E, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. On may 4, 2019, the pilot in command (PIC) of N7711L, a Cessna C185 aircraft, was practicing crosswind takeoffs and landings at porter county regional airport,…

## Other investigations on N7711L (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 GAA17CA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA054), Oct 25, 2016: Cessna A185 (N7711L), Winnemucca, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
- [NTSB LAX02LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA011), Oct 21, 2001: Cessna A185E (N7711L), Winnemucca, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, failure to maintain directional control and use of excessive braking, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 4, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99382. 3.5 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=40475444&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475445&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.

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