# NTSB MIA01LA123: Cessna A185F, N252W, Fayetteville, NC, April 16, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 2001, 12:09 local (16:09 UTC)
- Place: Fayetteville, NC
- Coordinates: 34.99139, -78.879997
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9914&lon=-78.8800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 52085
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52085/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA123

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane after encounter wind gusts during landing roll resulting in the airplane ground looping to the left and the right wing, right horizontal stabilizer, and right elevator contacting the runway and receiving substantial damage.

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

## Analysis

The pilot stated that during landing rollout, a gust of wind caused the airplane to turn to the left. Attempts to correct the left turn were unsuccessful and the airplane ground looped to the left 90 degrees and came to rest on the runway. The right wing, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator contacted the runway and received damage.

## Factual narrative

On April 16, 2001, about 1209 eastern daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N252W, registered to an individual, ground looped during landing at Fayetteville Regional Airport, Fayetteville, North Carolina, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Fayetteville Regional Airport, the same day, about 1200.

The pilot stated that during landing roll a gust of wind caused the airplane to begin turning to the left. Attempts to correct the left turn were unsuccessful. The airplane ground looped to the left about 90 degrees, striking the right wing and horizontal stabilizer on the runway.

Examination of the airplane by FAA inspectors showed the right wing, stabilizer, and elevator received substantial damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N252W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna A185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503687
- Airframe hours: 1888
- Engines: Teledyne Cont IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cheryl A. Stearns
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2001, 70 hours before
- Departed: FAY, Fayetteville, NC
- Airport: FAY, Fayetteville Regional, runway 04, 7,204 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 1, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observed at: FAY, 1 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 20010416007829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010416007829A), Apr 16, 2001: Cessna A185F, Fayetteville, NC, Substantial damage. (.19)On April 16, 2001, about 1209 eastern daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N252W, registered to an individual, ground looped during landing at Fayetteville…

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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