No fatalities

31 May 2017: CESSNA A185 F — Clovis, NM

Clovis, NM, United States

On 31 May 2017, a CESSNA A185 F was involved in an aviation accident near Clovis, NM. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported a ground loop during landing in gusting crosswind conditions, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator. No mechanical issues were found.

Accident Details

A pilot experienced a ground loop while landing an airplane in gusting crosswind conditions. The incident occurred when the tailwheel made contact with the runway surface.

Pilot's Account

The pilot reported that upon tailwheel contact, the airplane violently yawed to the left. Despite immediately applying full left aileron and full right rudder control inputs, the airplane continued to ground loop to the left. The right wing subsequently contacted the ground.

The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Weather Conditions

At the time of the accident, the automated weather observation system at the airport reported wind from 150° at 11 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot was landing on runway 22.

Damage Assessment

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right horizontal stabilizer, and elevator.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation