# NTSB LAX89LA285: Cessna 185F, N1562H, Fresno, CA, August 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1989, 19:17 local (Aug 23, 1989, 02:17 UTC)
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Coordinates: 36.750984, -119.669593 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7510&lon=-119.6696&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 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26484
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA285
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26484/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA285

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED HIS CESSNA 185F ON THE ACTIVE RUNWAY AND DUE TO OTHER LANDING TRAFFIC ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE RUNWAY ON A HIGH SPEED TAXIWAY. THE PILOT APPLIED THE AIRCRAFT'S BRAKES, BUT THE LEFT BRAKE WAS NOT EFFECTIVE CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO GROUND LOOP. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE LEFT BRAKE MALFUNCTIONED. AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR INSPECTED AND TESTED THE LEFT BRAKE AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A BRAKE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1562H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1562H-1990-08-03), registration cancelled 1990-08-03, S/N 18503308, built 1977 (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: 18503308
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wills, Ted C.
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Airport: FAT, Fresno Air Terminal, runway 29, 9,222 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Observed at: FAT

## 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 19890822031129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890822031129A), Aug 22, 1989: Cessna 185F, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Told to expedite turn onto high speed taxiway for traffic did so but lost control and ground looped.

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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