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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

December 20, 1993 · Cessna 185 · N581JB

Grand Island, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 20, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Grand Island, NE
Aircraft
Cessna 185
Tail Number
N581JB
Operator
John P Bresina
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA055

THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING TAXIED FOR TAKEOFF WHEN A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE TAIL OF THE AIRPLANE AND CAUSED IT TO WEATHER VANE. WHEN THE AIRPLANE WEATHER VANED INTO THE WIND, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED DUE TO SIDE LOADS.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor related to the accident was the gusty quartering tailwind condition.

Full Narrative

On December 20, 1993, at 1152 central standard time, a Cessna 185, N581JB, registered to John P. Bresina, experienced a ground loop followed by a main gear collapse while taxiing for takeoff at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport, Grand Island, Nebraska, while on a personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed but had not been activated at the time. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and four passengers were not injured. The flight was to have originated from Grand Island. The pilot reported he was taxiing on a heading of 040 the wind shifted from a crosswind to a left quartering tailwind. He stated a gust of approximately 25 knots caught the tail of the airplane which caused the airplane to weather vane into the wind. This resulted in too much load on the landing gear, according to the pilot, and the right main gear collapsed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:52 CST
Nearest AirportCentral Nebraska Regional (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 185
Tail NumberN581JB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn P Bresina
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 42 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data