# NTSB LAX06CA179: Cessna A185F, N5468E, Columbia, CA, May 20, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 20, 2006, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Columbia, CA - Coordinates: 38.030555, -120.414443 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0306&lon=-120.4144&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 63749 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63749/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA179 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control during the 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 - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind - 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 The tail wheel equipped airplane ground looped on landing. The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) reported that the wind was 170 degrees at 4 knots. The pilot entered the pattern at 45 degrees to the right downwind for runway 17. He said he could not see the windsock on final approach, but the stability of the airplane confirmed the weather report. He executed a three-point full stall landing. Immediately upon touchdown, the airplane's tail swung to the left. He applied full left rudder to regain directional control, but the airplane did not respond. The airplane turned 90 degrees to the right, began skidding on the left main gear, and tilted to the left. The left wing and horizontal tail surfaces made contact with the runway and the airplane came to rest after completing a 180-degree turn. The windsock at midfield indicated a 90-degree right crosswind at approximately 10 knots. The Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) entry for Columbia Airport states, "varying wind direction and velocity may be encountered at midpoint of runway 17-35 due to terrain features and wind flow patterns." The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Factual narrative On May 20, 2006, about 1300 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N5468E, ground looped during the landing rollout at Columbia, California, airport. The owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight departed Brownsville, California, about 1100, with a planned destination of Columbia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written report. He departed Brownsville for a scenic flight in his new airplane. His wife sat in the right seat. They decided to stop at Columbia for food and fuel. The pilot checked Columbia's Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) twice before their arrival. The AWOS reported that the wind was 170 degrees at 4 knots. There was also a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that runway 11/29 was closed. The pilot requested a traffic advisory prior to entering the traffic pattern, but received no reply. After listening to radio transmissions from other pilots at Columbia, he determined that runway 17 was the active runway. He entered the pattern at 45 degrees to the right downwind. The pilot felt that the winds were calm and that no crosswind correction was required. He could not see the windsock on final approach, but he thought the feel of the airplane confirmed the weather report. He executed a three-point full stall landing. Almost immediately upon touchdown, the airplane's tail swung energetically to the left. He applied full left rudder to regain directional control, but the airplane did not respond. The airplane turned 90 degrees to the right, began skidding on the left main gear, and tilted to the left. The left wing and horizontal tail surfaces made contact with the runway, and the airplane came to rest after completing a 180-degree turn. The pilot secured the airplane and performed a precautionary emergency exit. After exiting the airplane, he noticed that the windsock indicated a 90-degree right crosswind at approximately 10 knots. The pilot believed that more accurate and complete information about the wind condition would have prevented his accident. The Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) entry for Columbia Airport states, "varying wind direction and velocity may be encountered at midpoint of runway 17-35 due to terrain features and wind flow patterns." The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5468E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5468E), registered now, S/N 18503979, built 1979 (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: 03979 - Engines: Teledyne Continental IO-520-D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bernd Schroder - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: F25, Brownsville, CA - Destination: O22, Columbia, CA - Airport: O22, Columbia Airport, runway 17, 4,670 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 231 total, 21 in this make and model, 178 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: MOD, 36 nm away ## 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 20060520009559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060520009559A), May 20, 2006: Cessna A185F, Columbia, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot lost directional control during landing in a ten knot 90 degree cross wind causing substantial damage to the left wing, landing gear and horizontal… ## Other investigations on N5468E (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 NYC81FFA03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FFA03), Oct 27, 1980: Cessna 185F (N5468E), Round Lake, NY, 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.