Pilot Debrief

Cessna A185 near Kalispell, MT — 2019-05-04

Final reportWPR19LA134
Sign in to save
Date
2019-05-04
Location
Kalispell, MT, USA
Airport
GPI
Aircraft
Cessna A185
Registration
N185FT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The loss of directional control during landing for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and his pilot-rated passenger conducted a landing on a turf airstrip when the airplane pulled to the right as it slowed. The pilot was able to make a full stop landing and taxi back to take off. The takeoff was uneventful, so he remained in the airport area for another landing. During that landing, the airplane pulled hard to the right as it slowed. The pilot initiated a balked landing and returned to the original departure airport. During the final landing the airplane touched down on centerline for what initially appeared to be a normal landing. However, shortly after landing the pilot was unable to maintain directional control of the tailwheel equipped airplane and it veered off the right side of the runway, despite the pilot's attempt to correct back to the left with left rudder and braking. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the tailwheel did not turn to the left properly; however, it could not be determined if the anomaly existed before the accident or if it resulted from the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have opted for a go-around instead of attempting to land.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

Related mishaps