# NTSB LAX99LA194: Cessna A185F, N185FM, Elko, NV, May 22, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 1999, 17:09 local (May 22, 1999, 00:09 UTC) - Place: Elko, NV - Coordinates: 40.950584, -115.789146 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9506&lon=-115.7891&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46434 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46434/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA194 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for the variable and gusty winds, and, to maintain directional control of the aircraft while landing. ## 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 - sudden windshift - weather condition - gusts - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot first contacted the air traffic control tower about 10 miles southwest of the airport. He was instructed to enter a left traffic pattern for runway 23, and informed that the winds were from 330 degrees at 10 knots. While abeam the threshold on the downwind leg, he was cleared to land, and informed that the winds were now from 340 degrees at 7 knots and the wind velocity had increased to 18 knots. The pilot then requested to enter a right downwind for runway 30, which was approved, and was told that the winds were now variable from 300 to 030 degrees from 10 to 18 knots. While on final approach for runway 30, he was informed that the winds had shifted to 020 degrees at 15 knots. The final wind check before landing indicated that the winds were from 030 degrees at 16 knots. The aircraft touched down and bounced then veered toward the left edge of the runway. The pilot stated that as he attempted to correct for the left drift, the right wing rose up and the aircraft crossed the runway in a right arc on the left main wheel and ground looped at the right edge of the runway. He further reported that approximately 15 miles southwest of Elko he had noticed lightning coming from a cloud 2 to 3 miles northeast of the airport. He also stated that about the same time, an airplane that had just departed reported that they were experiencing major updrafts and downdrafts east of the airport. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 1999, at 1709 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N185FM, ground looped while landing at the Elko, Nevada, airport. The aircraft, owned and operated by the Elko Daily Free Press, Elko, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. The personal cross-country flight conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, originated at the Ukiah, California, airport about 1427, and was terminating at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he first contacted the Elko Air Traffic Control Tower about 10 miles southwest of the airport. He was instructed to enter a left traffic pattern for runway 23, and informed that the winds were from 330 degrees at 10 knots. While the pilot was abeam the threshold on the downwind leg, he was cleared to land, and informed that the winds were now from 340 degrees at 7 knots, and that the wind velocity had increased to 18 knots. He then requested to enter a right downwind for runway 30. The tower approved his request and reported that the winds were now variable from 300 to 030 degrees from 10 to 18 knots. While on final approach for runway 30, the tower informed the pilot that the winds had shifted to 020 degrees at 15 knots. The final wind check before landing indicated that the winds were from 030 degrees at 16 knots. The pilot reported that the aircraft touched down and bounced then veered toward the left edge of the runway. He stated that as he attempted to correct for the left drift, the right wing rose up, and the aircraft crossed the runway in a right arc on the left main wheel and ground looped at the right edge of the runway. The pilot further reported that approximately 15 miles southwest of Elko he had noticed lightning coming from a cloud 2 to 3 miles northeast of the Elko airport. He also stated that about the same time, an airplane that had just departed Elko reported to the tower that they were experiencing major updrafts and downdrafts east of the airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N185FM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N185FM), registered now, S/N 18503126, built 1976 (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: 18503126 - Airframe hours: 2374 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-D 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Elko Daily Free Press - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1998, 22 hours before - Departed: UKI, UKIAH, CA - Destination: EKO - Airport: EKO, Elko Muni-Jc Harris Fld, runway 30, 2,871 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,129 total, 915 in this make and model, 941 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 12 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EKO ## 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 19990521024009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990521024009A), May 21, 1999: Cessna A185F, Elko, NV, Substantial damage. (.19) On may 21, 1999, at 1709 hours pacific daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N185FM, ground looped while landing at the Elko, Nevada, airport. The aircraft,… 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.