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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 25, 1994 · Cessna A185F · N8527Q

Chapel Hill, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 25, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Aircraft
Cessna A185F
Tail Number
N8527Q
Operator
Coffman Edward K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL94LA106

THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 27. THE PILOT REPORTED THE SURFACE WINDS TO BE FROM THE SOUTH AT 7 TO 10 KNOTS, WITH GUSTS TO 15 KNOTS. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT, A GUST OF WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY SURFACE TO THE RIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN GROUND LOOPED. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WITH THE AIRCRAFT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS WERE THE CROSSWINDS AND GUSTS PREVAILING AT THE AIRPORT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

On May 25, 1994, at 1430 eastern daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N8527Q, was substantially damaged during a loss of directional control while landing at the Horace Williams Airport in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The airline transport pilot and three passengers were not injured. The aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The flight originated in Columbia, South Carolina at 1330. The pilot reported the following: He landed the airplane on runway 27 following a normal approach. During the landing rollout, a gust of wind was encountered, which turned the aircraft sideways (toward the south). The aircraft departed the runway surface and ground looped. Structural damage to the right wing, right horizontal stabilizer, and right, main landing gear resulted. He reported no mechanical malfunction or failure with the aircraft. The Horace Williams Airport does not have weather reporting capability. The pilot estimated the winds at the time of the accident to be out of the south at 7 to 10 knots, with gusts to 15 knots. The Raleigh-Durham International Airport, located about 13 miles east-southeast of Horace Williams, was reporting surface winds from 230 degrees at 10 knots, with no gusts, about 20 minutes after the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EDT
Nearest AirportHorace Williams (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length4005 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A185F
Tail NumberN8527Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCoffman Edward K
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data