Accident Overview
On May 4, 2019, at approximately 1146 mountain daylight time, a Cessna A185F, registration N185FT, sustained substantial damage when it veered off the runway at Glacier Park International Airport (GPI), Kalispell, Montana. The pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The aircraft was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, earlier that day he had landed at Ferndale Airport (53U), Bigfork, Montana, in light and variable wind conditions. During the landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane pulled to the right as it slowed. He executed a full stop landing and taxied back for departure. The takeoff was uneventful, and he remained in the traffic pattern at 53U for another landing. On the second landing, the airplane again pulled hard to the right as it slowed, prompting the pilot to initiate a balked landing. He then elected to return to GPI, where the flight had originated.
At GPI, the wind was reported as 210° magnetic at 5 knots. The pilot landed on runway 20, touching down on the centerline with the tailwheel lock engaged. Shortly after touchdown, he lost directional control despite applying left rudder, and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway. The pilot suspected a tailwheel issue. The airplane came to rest approximately halfway down the runway and about 10 feet off the edge.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the left wing. An airframe and powerplant mechanic, under the oversight of a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, examined the tailwheel and flight control system, including the rudder system. The tailwheel could be turned right freely and would "break free" normally. However, it would only turn left about 15° and would not break free. It could not be determined whether this anomaly existed before the accident or resulted from the accident.