Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary SEA00LA052

BEND, OR, USA

Aircraft #1

N1357M

Cessna A185-F

Analysis

The private pilot was landing a tailwheel equipped airplane on a dry paved runway. During the landing roll-out the aircraft began to weathervane and drift left of runway centerline. The pilot stated he tried to compensate by applying brake and rudder, but the aircraft continued off the runway and ground-looped. Wind at the time of the accident, as reported by the pilot, was from 280 degrees at 8-10 knots. No malfunctions or anomalies were reported with the aircraft's directional control systems.

Factual Information

On March 16, 2000, about 1030 Pacific standard time, a Cessna A185-F, N1357M, registered to the pilot as a 14CFR91 personal/pleasure flight, was substantially damaged during the landing roll-out at Bend Municipal Airport, Bend, Oregon. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. There was no report of ELT activation or fire. The pilot reported that during the landing roll-out on runway 34, the aircraft began to weathervane and drift to the left of the runway centerline. He stated that in an attempt to maintain centerline, he applied right rudder and eventually right brake. However, the aircraft continued off the runway and ground-looped. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, right wing and landing gear. The pilot stated that winds at the time of the accident were from 280 degrees at 8-10 knots. The pilot reported that he hadn't experienced any mechanical difficulties or malfunctions with the aircraft that contributed to the accident.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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