Pilot Debrief

CESSNA A185 near Chandler, AZ — 2018-05-05

Final reportGAA18CA256
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Date
2018-05-05
Location
Chandler, AZ, USA
Airport
CHD
Aircraft
CESSNA A185
Registration
N76SC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting tailwind conditions.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during final approach, the airplane required about 10° of crab to the right to maintain alignment with the runway. During the landing flare, he reduced power to idle, slowly applied rudder to align the fuselage with the runway centerline, and added right aileron to counter the crosswind. He added that, during the three-point landing, the airplane bounced. During the landing roll, he had full right aileron countering the wind when a "perceived" gust lifted the right wing. He held full right aileron, full aft yoke, and used the rudder to maintain alignment. Subsequently, about 40 knots groundspeed, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported that the left main landing gear detached from the airplane. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 110° at 8 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The same observation system reported that, about 10 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 150° at 13 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The pilot landed on runway 4R.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing due to crosswind and gust conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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