# NTSB GAA19CA327: Cessna 185, N4057Y, Gulkana, AK, June 8, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 7, 2019, 16:00 local (Jun 8, 2019, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Gulkana, AK - Coordinates: 62.154998, -145.454437 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1550&lon=-145.4544&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99584 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA327 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99584/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99584 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA327 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of airplane control just before touchdown in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in ground loop after touchdown. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2072804), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/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 185A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072804), [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 185A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072804), [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 (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072804), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 185A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072804), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 185A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072804), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 185A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072804), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, just before touchdown, a wind gust lifted the left wing, and the right wing impacted the runway. The right wheel touched down, and the airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that just before touchdown, a wind gust lifted the left wing and the right wing impacted the runway. The right wheel touched down and the airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4057Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4057Y), registered now, S/N 185-0257, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185 (A) - Registry model: [Cessna 185A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185a) (registry code 2072804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 185-0257 - Year built: 1961 - Airframe hours: 2600 - Engines: Continental IO-470F 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2018 - Departed: MRI, Anchorage, AK - Destination: GKN, Gulkana, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: GKN, Gulkana, runway 15, 5,001 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 17, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,275 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,087 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 9 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: PAGK ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 3, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99584. 820 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 638 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484082&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 182 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484083&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.