On August 25, 1997, a Cessna 185F (registration N20752) was involved in an aviation accident near Barrow, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing on a remote tundra surface, which resulted in a ground loop and left wing strike. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A tailwheel-equipped aircraft veered right during a crosswind landing on tundra, resulting in a ground loop and left wing strike.
What happened
The pilot was operating a tailwheel-equipped airplane in a remote tundra environment with the objective of picking up several passengers. The approach was established to the west, while surface winds were reported from the north at speeds between 20 and 25 knots. During the landing roll, the aircraft began to veer toward the right side.
The pilot applied left brake pressure in an attempt to correct the directional deviation, but this input failed to straighten the turn. Consequently, the airplane entered a ground loop. The maneuver resulted in the left wing striking the ground surface.
The investigation
Examination of the event focused on the aircraft's behavior during the landing roll under crosswind conditions. The primary mechanical finding was that the application of left brake did not correct the turn, leading to the ground loop and subsequent structural contact with the terrain.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing on a remote tundra surface, which resulted in a ground loop and left wing strike.