# NTSB WPR23LA291: Cessna A185F, N185GG, Friday Habor, WA, July 28, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 27, 2023, 17:15 local (Jul 28, 2023, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Friday Habor, WA - Coordinates: 48.521972, -123.02436 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5220&lon=-123.0244&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - 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): 192757 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA291 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192757/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192757 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA291 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop. ## 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); 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, the airplane bounced during touchdown on a 3-point landing. The pilot elected to not correct with power or to execute a go-around. During the second touchdown, he was unable to arrest the airplane veering to the right and ground looped. The airplane exited the runway and the left gear collapsed. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N185GG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N185GG), registered now, S/N 18502787, built 1975 (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: 18502787 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 3490 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D24M 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 2021 - Departed: BFI, Seattle, WA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: FHR, Friday Harbor Airport, runway 16, 3,402 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 14, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,631 total, 730 in this make and model, 1,414 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KFHR - METAR: KFHR 280053Z AUTO 25005KT 10SM CLR 21/13 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP174 T02110128 $ ## 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 20230727020939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230727020939A), Jul 27, 2023: Cessna A185F, Friday Harbor, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot was approaching Friday Harbor Airport, on san juan island, WA (kfhr) from the south. Upon attempted downwind landing on runway 16, pilot crossed the… ## Other investigations on N185GG (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 WPR25LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA263), Aug 23, 2025: Cessna A185F (N185GG), Lakeview, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, in gusting crosswind conditions. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192757. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15944298&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15944308&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-Rel.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.