# NTSB SEA99LA076: Cessna A185E, N50AU, Othello, WA, May 21, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1999, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Othello, WA
- Coordinates: 46.800342, -119.149688 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8003&lon=-119.1497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46453
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46453/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA076

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions after landing.  Factors include gusty winds.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - other

## Analysis

As the pilot started turning final on runway 25, he noted a little drift to the right, but he said he straightened out easily and  flew straight on touchdown.  The aircraft was still flying straight as it was slowing down, when a gust of wind weathercocked the airplane  toward the left.  The airplane left the runway heading towards a hay field, but before reaching the field, the right landing gear hit a concrete drain inspection pipe, separating the landing gear.  The right wing tip struck the ground, turning the aircraft to the right.

## Factual narrative

On May 21, 1999, approximately 1300 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna A185E, N50AU, sustained substantial damage during a ground-loop after landing on runway 25 at Othello, Washington.  The private pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured during this personal flight from Pasco, Washington.  There was no flight plan filed for the flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  There was no report of an ELT actuating.

The pilot stated that he encountered a gust of wind during the landing roll and the airplane ground-looped, damaging the right landing gear and the right wing struck the ground.  He stated that "As I  started turning final on runway 25 there was a little drift to the right, but I straightened out easily and I flew straight on touchdown.  The aircraft was still flying straight as I was slowing down when all of a sudden a gust of wind came and weathervaned me toward the left .  I left the runway heading towards a hay field, but before I got to the field the right landing gear hit a concrete drain inspection pipe.  This sheared the landing gear off, which caused the right wing to hit the ground, turning the aircraft to the right stopping the plane."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50AU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N50AU), registered now, S/N 1851368 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna A185E
- Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1851368
- Airframe hours: 4475
- Engines: Continental IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alfred J. Ochoa
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 1999
- Departed: PASCO, WA
- Destination: S7O
- Airport: S70, Othello Municipal, runway 25, 4,200 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 839 total, 40 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KMW

## 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 19990521042729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990521042729A), May 21, 1999: Cessna A185E, Othello, WA, No damage. (-23) The pilot had lost control of the a/c on landing roll-out due to gusting crosswinds. R/h gear broke from a/c, r/h wing contacted the ground and both…

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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