# NTSB LAX87LA277: Cessna A185F, N252W, Chandler, AZ, July 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1987, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.320518, -111.870346 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3205&lon=-111.8703&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 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25646
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA277
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25646/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA277

## 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,main gear attachment - loose (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE CFI INDICATED THAT THE TAILWHEEL BEGAN TO SHIMMY DURING ROLLOUT. AS FORWARD CONTROL YOKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED THE SHIMMY WENT AWAY, HOWEVER, AS THE ACFT BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN, THE TAILWHEEL WAS LOWERED AND BEGAN TO SHIMMY AGAIN. AS THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SLOW IT VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE CFI APPLIED LEFT RUDDER. INITIALLY THE ACFT CONTINUED TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY IT ROLLED LEFT, DRAGGING ITS LEFT WING AND COLLAPSING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RETENTION BOLT FOR THE LEFT LANDING GEAR SPRING ASSEMBLY WAS BENT AND DISPLAYED ROTATIONAL SCORING AT ITS MID-POINT. THE THREADS OF BOTH THE BOLT AND ITS ASSOCIATED NUT WERE FOUND STRIPPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N252W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503687
- Airframe hours: 920
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Downey Construction, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1987, 100 hours before
- Departed: P19, CHANDLER, AZ
- Airport: P19, Stellar Airpark, runway 17, 4,005 × 55 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,160 total, 56 in this make and model, 804 as pilot in command, 275 in the last 90 days, 104 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: P19

## 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 19870722037519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870722037519A), Jul 22, 1987: Cessna A185F, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost directional control and ground looped after a tailwheel shimmy. Attach bolts thread stripped and came loose.

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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