N338H Cessna A185F accident

NTSB LAX04LA142 · 2004-02-29 · Tucson, AZ · near TUS

Summary

During the landing rollout with a quartering tailwind, the pilot lost control of his airplane and it ground looped. The mishap occurred at the completion of a 2-hour-long flight in the airplane, which the pilot had purchased a few days earlier. The pilot reported that on final approach the local controller advised him that the wind was from 300 degrees, at 7 knots, and then cleared him to land on runway 11R. The pilot said that he performed a normal three-point touchdown and rolled out without difficulty. As the airplane decelerated, a tailwind was present and the airplane swerved. The pilot said that although he applied corrective rudder pressure, he should have increased engine power to assist in maintaining directional control. No engine power was added and, when the airplane swerved, a wing contacted the runway.

Full narrative

On February 29, 2004, at 1156 mountain standard time, a Cessna A185F, N338H, ground looped during the landing rollout at the Tucson International Airport, Tucson, Arizona. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The pilot owned and operated the airplane, having purchased it a couple of days prior to the accident flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from El Paso, Texas, at 0956.

The pilot reported that on final approach the local controller advised him that the wind was from 300 degrees, at 7 knots, and then cleared him to land on runway 11R. The pilot reported that he performed a normal three-point touchdown and rolled out without difficulty. As the airplane decelerated, a tailwind was present and the airplane swerved. The pilot subsequently remarked that although he applied corrective rudder pressure, he should have increased engine power to assist in maintaining directional control. No engine power was added and, when the airplane swerved, a wing contacted the runway.

Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the quartering tailwind and failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type: Accident
Highest injury: None
Weather conditions: Visual Meteorological Cond
Light condition: Day
Sky condition: NONE
Ceiling (ft): 0
Visibility (sm): 10
Wind direction: 300
Wind speed (kt): 7
Temperature (F): 55
Nearest airport: Tucson International
Distance from field: 0.0
Airport elevation: 2643

Aircraft

Registration	Make	Model	Damage	FAR part
N338H	Cessna	A185F	SUBS	091

Sequence of events

#	Occurrence	Phase
1	260	Cruise
2	320	Cruise

Findings

Finding
20000
20000
24026	cause
24539	cause
24537
19200