# NTSB WPR20CA149: Cessna 185, N185, Winifred, MT, May 17, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 16, 2020, 19:00 local (May 17, 2020, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Winifred, MT - Coordinates: 47.885276, -109.022781 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8853&lon=-109.0228&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 101287 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101287/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101287 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA149 ## Probable cause An inadequate flare that resulted in a bounced landing and the pilot's subsequent delayed decision to go-around that did not allow for sufficient clearance from trees when the airplane was affected by a gusting wind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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 185, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072802), [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 · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 185, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 185, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 185, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that trees lined the east side of the dirt airstrip, and the first 800 ft sloped up, then doglegged to the left at the top. The pilot reported that he flew over the treetops and after he flared the airplane, it touched down and bounced. The pilot added power to counteract the bounce; however, it bounced a second time. The pilot then added full power to go around. While the airplane was still in ground effect, it crested the top of the upslope and a strong gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right directly toward a tree. The pilot added left rudder control in an attempt to avoid the tree; however, the outboard portion of the right wing impacted the tree. The airplane entered a sideways skid, touched down, and skidded for about 150 ft before it came to a stop. The fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N185](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N185-2025-04-10), registration cancelled 2025-04-10, S/N 185-0154, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 185-0154 - Year built: 1961 - Airframe hours: 4614 - Engines: Continental IO-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 2020, 23 hours before - Departed: GTF, Great Falls, MT - Destination: LC0, Winifred, MT - Airport: LC0, Left Coulee Airport, runway 09, 1,600 × 60 ft, dirt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 18, 2020; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 10,700 total, 349 in this make and model, 2,300 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: S71, 43 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 20200517000909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200517000909A), May 17, 2020: Cessna 185, Winifred, MT, Substantial damage. While attempting to land on an un-improved runway, the pilot bounced twice and drifted to the right due to a gust of wind. The pilot input Left rudder but… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101287. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485074&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - On Scene Photos (item 2, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485075&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=On%20Scene%20Photos-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.