CESSNA A185 near Luverne, MN — 2026-04-03

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a gusting crosswind landing, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

NTSB narrative

The pilot receiving flight instruction reported that, while practicing takeoff and landings, he aligned the airplane with the left side of the runway, as advised by his flight instructor, and touched down before the 1,000-foot markers. As the airplane landing roll progressed the tail of the airplane came down and the airplane began veering to the right. The pilot added left rudder until he was at full deflection, at which time he began adding left brake, but directional control continued to degrade. As the airplane approached the centerline, the flight instructor took control of the airplane. The flight instructor lifted the right wing to avoid collision with a runway edge light. The left wingtip contacted the runway followed by a grinding noise. The airplane exited the runway and overturned, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and vertical stabilizer. Both pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 36 with wind from 050 at 8 knots gusting to 16.

NTSB coding

• Nose over/nose down · Landing-landing roll
• Loss of control on ground · Landing-landing roll
• Delayed Action

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