# NTSB LAX98LA299: Cessna 185E, N1613M, Mesa, AZ, September 20, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 19, 1998, 17:36 local (Sep 20, 1998, 00:36 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.439945, -111.849784 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4399&lon=-111.8498&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44076 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA299 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44076/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA299 ## Probable cause The failure of the wheel assembly retention nuts and subsequent wheel separation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,wheel - separation (cause) - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - insufficient standards/requirements, faa(organization) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported that when he applied the brakes during the landing rollout, the left wheel separated from the main landing gear. The aircraft then veered off to the left side of the runway. The aircraft was equipped with a snow-ski adapter kit, which had been installed on November 20, 1972. The four-wheel assembly retention bolts had sheared off upon the landing touch down, with the upper two bolts failing first. The nuts were then stripped off from the lower two bolts. The left landing gear wheel assembly separated from the landing gear strut. Research revealed that there is no inspection criteria to inspect the wheel assembly retention bolts. ## Factual narrative On September 19, 1998, at 1736 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 185E, N1613M, veered off the runway on landing at the Falcon Field Airport, Mesa, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The cross-country personal flight originated at Rock Springs, Wyoming, at 1300, and was terminating at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he landed on runway 22L, and during the rollout when he applied the brakes, the left wheel separated from the main landing gear. The aircraft then veered off to the left side of the runway. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office examined the aircraft and reported that it was equipped with a snow-ski adapter kit in accordance with STC #SA3-717, which had been installed on November 20, 1972. He further reported that the four-wheel assembly retention bolts sheared upon the landing touchdown, with the upper two bolts failing first. The nuts were then stripped off from the lower two bolts. The left landing gear wheel assembly departed the landing gear strut. According to the FAA inspector, there is no inspection criteria for the wheel-assembly retention bolts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1613M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1613M), registered now, S/N 18501833, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185E - Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520-D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-d) (registry code 17236, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18501833 - Airframe hours: 1892 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Roger Sires - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1998, 47 hours before - Departed: RKS, ROCK SPRINGS, WY - Destination: FFZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field, runway 22L, 5,100 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,868 total, 806 in this make and model, 1,726 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 5 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FFZ ## 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 19980919025419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980919025419A), Sep 19, 1998: Cessna A185E, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. (.19)On September 19, 1998, at 1736 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 185E, N1613M, veered off the runway on landing at the Falcon Field Airport, Mesa,… ## Other investigations on N1613M (3) 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 ANC03LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA031), Mar 9, 2003: Cessna 185 (N1613M), Galena, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the airplane to climb after takeoff which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain during an aborted landing attempt. - [NTSB CHI96LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA024), Oct 24, 1995: Cessna A185E (N1613M), Liberal, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control and an inadvertent ground swerve. - [NTSB ANC86LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA117), Jul 30, 1986: Cessna 185E (N1613M), Tetlin, AK, 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.