# NTSB SEA92LA071: Cessna A185F, N135NC, Billings, MT, April 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1992, 15:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Billings, MT
- Coordinates: 45.979393, -108.680679 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9794&lon=-108.6807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41652
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41652/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA071

## Probable cause

A WORN TAILWHEEL STEERING SYSTEM AND INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CROSSWIND CONDITION.

## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - worn (cause)
  - landing gear,steering system - worn (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING THE TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE WITH A DIRECT X-WIND FROM THE RIGHT, THE AIRPLANE SWERVED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND GROUND LOOPED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAILWHEEL WOULD FREELY SWIVEL TO THE RIGHT RESULTING IN NO STEERING TO THE LEFT. THIS FREE CASTERING WAS CAUSED BY WEAR ON ONE SIDE OF THE LATCH SPRING, AND CORRESPONDING WEAR IN THE SPRING NOTCH IN THE STEERING ARM ASSEMBLY. THE RUDDER STILL HAD FULL TRAVEL AVAILABLE BOTH TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N135NC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N135NC), registered now, S/N 18503992, 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: 185-03992
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Smith, Vern G.
- Registered owner: Smith, Vern G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: MBG, MOBRIDGE, SD
- Airport: BIL, Billings, runway 27, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 28,788 total, 800 in this make and model, 21,000 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920409009349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920409009349A), Apr 9, 1992: Cessna A185F, Billings, MT, Substantial damage. Ground looped landing in crosswind. Tailwheel latch spring steering arm assembly worn. No steering control to left.

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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