# NTSB LAX02LA052: Cessna 185F, N5172R, Reno, NV, December 18, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 18, 2001, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.480022, -119.739456 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4800&lon=-119.7395&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-RNO-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53938 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53938/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA052 ## Probable cause Wear on the tail wheel thrust plate spacers resulted in the compression springs binding on the thrust plates and the tail wheel sticking, so that the pilot could not maintain directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - worn (cause) - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - binding(mechanical) (cause) - directional control - not available, pilot in command ## Analysis The left wing and horizontal stabilizer sustained substantial damage when they contacted the ground during the landing roll. The landing was uneventful until the pilot lowered the tail to the ground, and the airplane suddenly veered to the right. The pilot locked up the left wheel brake, but the airplane continued to the right. Just before the airplane stopped, the left wing and horizontal stabilizer contacted the ground. The pilot said that on several previous occasions the tail wheel seemed to stick initially and cause the airplane to deviate from the selected track, but would free up and track straight. Post accident examination revealed that the tail wheel rotated freely until moved to its maximum left deflection limit, and the tail wheel locked in this position. A mechanic detected wear on both sides of the thrust plate spacers (part number 3407-00). He suspected that the tail wheel springs (part number 3233-00) were binding on the thrust plates. He recommended replacement of the thrust plates whenever they showed wear on either side. ## Factual narrative On December 18, 2001, about 1330 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 185F, N5172R, ground looped on landing at Reno, Nevada. The commercial pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Carson City, Nevada, about 1315. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated the landing was uneventful until he lowered the tail to the ground. The airplane suddenly veered to the right. The pilot locked up the left wheel brake, but the airplane continued to the right. Just before the airplane stopped, the left wing and horizontal stabilizer contacted the ground. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector completed a preliminary examination of the airplane. The pilot told him that on several previous occasions the tail wheel seemed to stick initially and cause the airplane to deviate from the selected track, but would free up and track straight. The inspector determined the tail wheel rotated freely until he moved it to its maximum left deflection limit, and the tail wheel locked in this position. A mechanic examined the tail wheel and filed a report with the inspector. The mechanic felt that the tail wheel stuck right of center. He detected wear on both sides of the thrust plate spacers (part number 3407-00). He suspected that the tail wheel springs (part number 3233-00) were binding on the thrust plates. He recommended replacement of the thrust plates whenever they showed wear on either side. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5172R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5172R), registered now, S/N 18503012, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185F - 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: 18503012 - Airframe hours: 4240 - Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: American Home Companion, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 2001, 14 hours before - Departed: CXP, CARSON CITY, NV - Destination: RNO, RENO, NV - Airport: RNO, Reno, runway 16R, 10,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 3, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 2,900 total, 50 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: RNO ## 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 20011218034099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011218034099A), Dec 18, 2001: Cessna A185F, Reno, NV, No damage. (-23) A wheel landing was initiated on rwy 16R. However, when the tail wheel touched down, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled right hand turn. Left brake was… ## Other investigations on N5172R (1) 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 MKC79DCJ11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79DCJ11), Feb 14, 1979: Cessna 185 (N5172R), York, NE, substantial damage 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.