# NTSB WPR13CA341: Cessna A185F, N31YH, Pocatello, ID, July 25, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 25, 2013, 11:27 local (17:27 UTC)
- Place: Pocatello, ID
- Coordinates: 42.909721, -112.595832 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9097&lon=-112.5958&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administratin
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87583
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA341
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87583/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87583
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA341

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with gusting wind and a quartering tailwind.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 75 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing with a gusting crosswind and a wind shift to a quartering tailwind, the airplane's right wing lifted up after he had lowered the tail to the runway. He applied corrective control inputs, however, the airplane yawed sideways causing the left landing gear to collapse and substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing with a gusting crosswind and a wind shift to a quartering tailwind, the airplane's right wing lifted up after he had lowered the tail to the runway. He applied corrective control inputs, however, the airplane yawed sideways causing the left landing gear to collapse and substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31YH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31YH-2014-03-13), registration cancelled 2014-03-13, S/N 18504258, built 1981 (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: 18504258
- Airframe hours: 4329
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mathews Nicholas A
- Registered owner: Mathews Nicholas A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 2011
- Departed: KO20, Lodi, CA
- Destination: KPIH, Pocatello, ID
- Airport: KPIH, Pocatello Regional Airport, runway 21, 9,060 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 20, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 1,220 total, 999 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: KPIH

## 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 20130725013149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130725013149A), Jul 25, 2013: Cessna A185F, Pocatello, ID, Substantial damage. On 07/25/2013 aircraft N31YH was preparing to land at (pih) Pocatello airport on runway 21 with a l/h cross quartering tail wind from 270 degrees @7KTS. No…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 21, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87583. 543 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 358 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400540&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400589&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Redacted.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.

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