Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary DEN05CA001

Santa Fe, NM, USA

Aircraft #1

N714MX

Cessna 185F

Analysis

According to the pilot, he was performing touch and go landings on runway 20. During the landing roll, the pilot encountered a wind gust from the left which "weather cocked the plane to about 15 degrees left of centerline." The pilot stated that he applied power and full right rudder but was not able to straighten the airplane. He reduced engine power and applied brakes. The aircraft looped to the left and the right wing and elevator impacted the runway causing substantial damage. An inspection of the airplane systems revealed no anomalies. According to the Aviation Routine Weather Report at 1502 winds were recorded as 150 degrees at 7 knots with gusts to 15 knots.

Factual Information

On October 1, 2004, at approximately 1500 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 185F, N714MX, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during landing roll at Santa Fe Municipal Airport (SAF), Santa Fe, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at approximately 1430. According to the accident report submitted by the pilot, he was performing touch and go landings on runway 20. During the landing roll, the pilot encountered a wind gust from the left which "weather cocked the plane to about 15 degrees left of centerline." The pilot stated that he applied power and full right rudder but was not able to straighten the airplane. He reduced engine power and applied brakes. The aircraft looped to the left and the right wing and elevator impacted the runway. The right wing spar and aileron were bent and the right elevator was crushed. An inspection of the airplane systems revealed no anomalies. According to the Santa Fe Metar, at 1502 winds were recorded as 150 degrees at 7 knots with gusts to 15 knots. The pilot estimated the winds were out of the southeast at 5 knots with gusts to 10 knots. The calculate crosswind component was between 7 and 12 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing roll resulting in a ground loop. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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