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Tailwheel Airplane Ground Loops After Gust Encounter During Landing

Dauphin Island, AL, United States

On July 11, 2015, a CESSNA A185F was involved in an aviation accident near Dauphin Island, AL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll in gusty wind conditions which resulted in a ground loop and impact with terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

During the landing roll, a tailwheel-equipped airplane encountered a gust of wind from the right, causing the tail to move left, the left wing to impact the ground, resulting in a ground loop and substantial damage to the left wing.

Accident Details

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, the airplane encountered a gust of wind from the right. This caused the tail of the airplane to move to the left, and the left wing subsequently impacted the ground. The airplane then ground looped. The accident resulted in substantial damage to the left wing.

Weather Conditions

A nearby weather station reported winds at 180 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 14 knots around the time of the accident. The pilot indicated that he was landing on runway 12.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Effect on equipment

Related events

Same aircraft family

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 11 Jul 2015 CESSNA A185F accident near Dauphin Island, AL?

During the landing roll, a tailwheel-equipped airplane encountered a gust of wind from the right, causing the tail to move left, the left wing to impact the ground, resulting in a ground loop and substantial damage to the left wing.

Were there any fatalities in the 11 Jul 2015 CESSNA A185F accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 11 Jul 2015 involved a CESSNA A185F, at Dauphin Island, AL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll in gusty wind conditions which resulted in a ground loop and impact with terrain.

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