# NTSB SEA07CA274: Cessna A185F, N6497E, Lexington, OR, September 26, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 25, 2007, 17:30 local (Sep 26, 2007, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Lexington, OR
- Coordinates: 45.456943, -119.694999
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4569&lon=-119.6950&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/SFDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66917
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA274
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66917/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA274

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop/swerve.

## 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
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot reported that a normal approach to runway 08 was initiated and the wheel landing appeared normal.  During the landing roll, the left wing started to dip and the pilot tried to lift the wing with aileron control and the application of the wheel brakes to straighten the ground path.  The aircraft immediately veered off the runway and spun around with the left wing making contact with the ground.  The pilot thought that the main wheel tire might have been low or flat.  Post accident inspection revealed that the tire valve stem was displaced and the tire was flat.  The condition of the tire before the accident could not be determined.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that a normal approach to runway 08 was initiated and the wheel landing appeared normal.  During the landing roll, the left wing started to dip and the pilot tried to lift the wing with aileron control and the application of the wheel brakes to straighten the ground path.  The aircraft immediately veered off the runway and spun around with the left wing making contact with the ground.  The pilot thought that the main wheel tire might have been low or flat.  Post accident inspection revealed that the tire valve stem was displaced and the tire was flat.  The condition of the tire before the accident could not be determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6497E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6497E), registered now, S/N 18504050, built 1980 (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: 18504050
- Engines: Continental IO-520-D30 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Barbara J. Van Arsdale
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: EAT, Wenatchee, WA
- Destination: 9S9, Lexington, OR
- Airport: 9S9, Lexington, runway 08, 4,150 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 18,431 total, 4,500 in this make and model, 263 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg

## Other investigations on N6497E (1)

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 SEA03LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA122), Jun 26, 2003: Cessna 185F (N6497E), Lexington, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing roll. A partially deflated tire and soft terrain were factors.

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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