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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 20, 1996 · Cessna A-185-F · N56581

Juneau, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 20, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Juneau, AK
Aircraft
Cessna A-185-F
Tail Number
N56581
Operator
National Park Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC96TA075

The pilot was landing a tailwheel airplane modified with over size 'Tundra' tires on a hard surfaced runway. He observed a crosswind from the right during the landing flare, and attempted to correct for the airplane's drift by placing the upwind (right) tire on the runway first. The airplane touched down on the right main tire first, and the pilot said he felt some drift, and then the airplane veering to the left. The right wing subsequently scraped the runway before the pilot was able to bring the airplane to a stop. Damage was observed to the right wing, and the right main tire was flat. Postaccident inspection of the right wheel assembly disclosed no evidence of preaccident mechanical anomaly. The pilot wrote in his statement that the accident could have been prevented by the use of better crosswind techniques.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. A factor associated with the accident was the crosswind.

Full Narrative

On May 20, 1996 at 1250 Alaska daylight time, a "Tundra" tire equipped Cessna-A185F airplane, N56581, operated by the U.S. Department of Interior's National Park Service, sustained substantial damage while landing on Runway 08 at Juneau International Airport, Juneau, Alaska. The solo commercial certificated pilot was uninjured. The government flight operated in visual meteorological conditions under 14 CFR Part 91, and departed Gustavus, Alaska at 1210 Alaska daylight time. The pilot reported that while on short final approach he noted a 15 to 20 degree crosswind from the right. He said as he began the landing flare, he sensed the airplane drifting. He placed the right, upwind wheel on the hard-surfaced runway first, and felt a drift to the left. Additional right aileron was added, but the airplane veered to the left, and the right wing contacted the runway. The pilot braked the airplane to a stop on the north edge of the runway. Upon leaving the airplane, he observed damage to the right wing, and a deflated right main tire. The pilot wrote in his report to the NTSB, under the section titled, Recommendation (How Could This Accident Been Prevented): "Better X-wind technique" Surface wind at the Juneau Airport at the time of the accident was reported to be from 110 degrees at 15 knots. The airplane's right wheel assembly, inclusive of the 8.50X10 inch tire, inner tube, and Gar Aero wheel adapters, were examined by the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) at the hangar of Office of Aircraft Services (OAS) in Anchorage, Alaska, on June 17. Neither the IIC, or the Chief of Maintenance for OAS, were able to find any evidence of preaccident mechanical deficiency or other anomaly with the wheel assembly.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:50 AKDT
Nearest AirportJUNEAU (0nm)
Runway8
Runway Length8456 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A-185-F
Tail NumberN56581
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNational Park Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 15 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data