# NTSB WPR09LA281: Cessna T188C, N9955J, Rock Springs, MT, May 31, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 2009, 07:15 local (13:15 UTC) - Place: Rock Springs, MT - Coordinates: 46.870555, -106.240554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8706&lon=-106.2406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73991 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA281 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73991/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73991 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA281 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to attempt to takeoff in crosswind conditions that exceeded the airplane’s demonstrated crosswind capability. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot began the takeoff roll in gusting crosswind conditions that exceeded the airplane’s demonstrated crosswind velocity. During the roll the airplane departed the runway, spun around, and came to rest facing opposite the direction of travel. The main landing gear failed during the accident sequence, with signatures that indicated it had sustained an overload. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had waited to takeoff in lower wind conditions. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 2009, about 0715 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T188C, N9955J, ground looped during takeoff near Rock Springs, Montana. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing spar and aft fuselage structure. The local aerial application flight was departing from a private airstrip. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that at the time of the takeoff direct crosswind conditions existed, gusting between 15 and 25 knots. During the takeoff roll the airplane departed the runway, spun around, and came to rest facing opposite the direction of travel. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident site. He observed the outer section of the right main landing gear leg and wheel located 20 feet behind the airplane. The leg had separated into two pieces, 6 inches above the wheel axle. The fracture surfaces of the failure where granular in appearance, and exhibited 45-degree sheer lips at their edges. The FAA inspector reported that the tailwheel spring was attached to the airplane’s bulkhead, but had failed at the attach point. Pictures taken by the inspector revealed that the tailwheel assembly had rotated 90 degrees around the airplane’s longitudinal axis. According to the Pilot Operating Handbook applicable to the accident airplane, the takeoff and landing maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity is 16 mph (14 knots). The airplane was sold by the owner before the NTSB investigator-in-charge could inspect the tailwheel assembly in more detail. The pilot reported in a written statement to the Safety Board that the accident could have been prevented if he had waited for the wind conditions to subside. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9955J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9955J), registered now, S/N T18803884T (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C - Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T18803884T - Airframe hours: 3700 - Engines: Teledyne Continental Motors TSIO-510T 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 2008, 26 hours before - Departed: PVT, Rock Springs, MT - Destination: PVT, Rock Springs, MT - Airport: PVT, Haglof Ranch Airstrip, runway 02, 1,800 × 30 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 12, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 8,000 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 7,840 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: MLS, 34 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 20090531007239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090531007239A), May 31, 2009: Cessna T188C, Rock Springs, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On takeoff tail stinger spring broke at attachment, right gear leg fractured and pilot lost control. Damage to rear fuselage, right horizontal, right… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 1, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73991. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 440 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321718&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Tailwheel (item 2, .PDF, 184 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321726&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Tailwheel-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Ground Scar (item 3, .PDF, 182 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321727&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Ground%20Scar-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Landing Gear Fragment (item 4, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321722&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Landing%20Gear%20Fragment-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Landing Gear Stub (item 5, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321723&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Landing%20Gear%20Stub-Master.PDF - Photo 5 - Landing Gear Stub and Fragment (item 6, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321724&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20-%20Landing%20Gear%20Stub%20and%20Fragment-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.