# NTSB WPR21LA181: Cessna A185F, N9BB, Driggs, ID, May 2, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 2, 2021, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Driggs, ID - Coordinates: 43.738102, -111.10748 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7381&lon=-111.1075&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103018 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103018/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA181 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing with gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; 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) ## 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 of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, while landing on runway 4, a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer left. The pilot used rudder control and added power to no avail. The airplane ground looped to the right and the left landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 350° at 8 knots ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9BB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9BB-2025-09-25), registration cancelled 2025-09-25, S/N 18503356 (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: 18503356 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 3000 - Engines: Continental IO-550 300 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 2020, 100 hours before - Departed: BTF, Bountiful, UT - Destination: DIJ, Driggs, ID - Airport: DIJ, Driggs-Reed Meml, runway 04, 2,500 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 13, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 10,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KDIJ, 1 nm away - METAR: KDIJ 021556Z AUTO 33009KT 10SM OVC022 07/03 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP098 T00670028 ## 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 20210502007979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210502007979A), May 2, 2021: Cessna A185F, Driggs, ID, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that upon landing a possible gusty wind caused him to lose control of the aircraft which resulted in a ground loop. During the ground loop the… ## Other investigations on N9BB (1) 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. - [NTSB ANC25LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA096), Aug 18, 2025: Cessna A185F (N9BB), Haines, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s selection of an unsuitable landing area resulting in an on-ground collision with an obscured log and a main landing gear separation. 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.