# NTSB LAX04LA142: Cessna A185F, N338H, Tucson, AZ, February 29, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 29, 2004, 11:56 local (18:56 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.116111, -110.941108 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1161&lon=-110.9411&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58827 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58827/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA142 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the quartering tailwind and failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout. ## 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 - weather condition - tailwind - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis During the landing rollout with a quartering tailwind, the pilot lost control of his airplane and it ground looped. The mishap occurred at the completion of a 2-hour-long flight in the airplane, which the pilot had purchased a few days earlier. The pilot reported that on final approach the local controller advised him that the wind was from 300 degrees, at 7 knots, and then cleared him to land on runway 11R. The pilot said that he performed a normal three-point touchdown and rolled out without difficulty. As the airplane decelerated, a tailwind was present and the airplane swerved. The pilot said that although he applied corrective rudder pressure, he should have increased engine power to assist in maintaining directional control. No engine power was added and, when the airplane swerved, a wing contacted the runway. ## Factual narrative On February 29, 2004, at 1156 mountain standard time, a Cessna A185F, N338H, ground looped during the landing rollout at the Tucson International Airport, Tucson, Arizona. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The pilot owned and operated the airplane, having purchased it a couple of days prior to the accident flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from El Paso, Texas, at 0956. The pilot reported that on final approach the local controller advised him that the wind was from 300 degrees, at 7 knots, and then cleared him to land on runway 11R. The pilot reported that he performed a normal three-point touchdown and rolled out without difficulty. As the airplane decelerated, a tailwind was present and the airplane swerved. The pilot subsequently remarked that although he applied corrective rudder pressure, he should have increased engine power to assist in maintaining directional control. No engine power was added and, when the airplane swerved, a wing contacted the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N338H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N338H), registered now, S/N 18504343, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna A185F - 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: 18504343 - Airframe hours: 5371 - Engines: Continental IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Erich K. White - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2003, 16 hours before - Departed: ELP, El Paso, TX - Destination: TUS, Tucson, AZ - Airport: TUS, Tucson International, runway 11R, 8,408 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 27, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 2,258 total, 10 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: TUS ## 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 20040229002829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040229002829A), Feb 29, 2004: Cessna A185F, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that upon arrival at Tucson intl. Airport, he was instructed to land on runway 11R. He further stated that he used poor discretion in… 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.