# NTSB SEA83LA120: Cessna A185F, N4870C, Klamath Falls, OR, May 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1983, 19:45 local (May 17, 1983, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Klamath Falls, OR
- Coordinates: 42.309761, -122.070083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3098&lon=-122.0701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39708/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA120

## 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 - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT GROUNDLOOPED OFF THE RUNWAY DURING LANDING IN A GUSTY CROSSWIND. THE PILOT AND PASSNGER WERE NOT INJURED. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED AS 300 DEGREES 18 KNOTS GUSTING TO 22 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4870C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4870C), registered now, S/N 18502638 (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-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18502638
- Airframe hours: 1950
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eric Olson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PRB, PASO ROBLES, CA
- Destination: LMT, KLAMATH FALLS, OR
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LMT, Kingsley, runway 32, 10,301 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 30 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 18 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 89 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830516023579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830516023579A), May 16, 1983: Cessna A185F, Klamath Falls, OR, Substantial damage. Aircraft ground looped on landing. Pilot lost directional control. Gusty quartering crosswind existed.

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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