On 1 Apr 2015, a CESSNA A185F F operated by CRUZ DAVID C was involved in an aviation accident near Palmer, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of directional control during landing, resulting in a collision with terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A Cessna 185 sustained substantial right-wing damage when it ground looped during landing after encountering an easterly wind gust on a gravel runway.
Accident Details
The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped Cessna 185 was landing to the south on a gravel runway. During the landing rollout, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the east. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane entered a ground loop.
Damage
The ground loop resulted in substantial damage to the right wing of the aircraft. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that the aircraft was functioning normally before the incident. The loss of control was attributed solely to the wind gust encountered during the landing rollout.
Contributing factors
PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained