On July 16, 2004, a Cessna A185F (registration N78RD) was involved in an aviation accident near Boise, ID. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll resulting in an inadvertent ground loop. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a wheel landing on runway 28L, the airplane swerved right. Left rudder was ineffective at low speed. The left main tire peeled off, wheel rim dug in, and the airplane spun 180 degrees, coming to rest off the runway. The fuselage sustained structural damage at the left main landing gear attach point.
Accident Sequence
The pilot executed a wheel landing on runway 28L. During the landing roll, as the tail of the airplane settled onto the runway, the airplane began to swerve slightly to the right. In response, the pilot applied left rudder input. However, due to the low speed of the airplane, the rudder was not effective in counteracting the swerve. The airplane continued to deviate to the right. The left main tire then detached from the wheel rim. The exposed wheel rim made contact with the pavement, causing the airplane to rotate 180 degrees. The airplane came to a stop off the right side of the runway.
Mechanical Condition
According to the pilot, the airplane experienced no mechanical anomalies prior to the accident.
Damage Assessment
The Director of Maintenance of the repair facility provided a list of damaged components to the NTSB investigator. The list indicated that the fuselage sustained structural damage in the vicinity of the left main landing gear attachment point.