No fatalities

17 Sep 2017: CESSNA A185 E — Talkeetna, AK

Talkeetna, AK, United States

On 17 Sep 2017, a CESSNA A185 E was involved in an aviation accident near Talkeetna, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind 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

During a wheel landing, a tailwheel airplane bounced twice and then encountered variable wind gusts causing a ground loop, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and horizontal stabilizer.

Incident Summary

According to the pilot, the tailwheel-equipped airplane touched down on its main landing gear first during a wheel landing after a stabilized approach. The airplane then bounced twice. Shortly before the tail settled on the ground, the crosswind increased, causing the aircraft to weathervane to the left. The pilot applied left aileron and right rudder to keep the airplane on the gravel airstrip. However, the wind gust then all but stopped as the tailwheel settled to the ground, causing the aircraft to turn rapidly to the right. The pilot increased left rudder and brake, but the main gear began to depart the gravel airstrip and enter the softer shoulder. The tail swung to the left of the aircraft's direction of travel, and the pilot was unable to correct the continued tightening right turn. Subsequently, the airplane rolled onto the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer before coming to rest on the main landing gear.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported the wind at the accident site, about the time of the accident, as variable at 0 to gusting 10 knots. The pilot landed to the northeast.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation