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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

April 30, 2000 · Cessna 185F · N6535E

Pottstown, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 30, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Pottstown, PA
Aircraft
Cessna 185F
Tail Number
N6535E
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC00LA126

The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and pilot were conducting a training flight. During landing, the airplane bounced once on the main landing gear and began a rollout. Control positions of left rudder, right aileron, and elevator transitioning to full up, were inputted for the crosswind condition. After about 500-600 feet into the rollout, the airplane began to swerve to the right. The pilot counteracted the swerve with the remaining amount of left rudder and then began 'feeding in left brake.' The airplane had not changed its heading of more than 30 degrees, when the CFI commanded the pilot to 'get off the brakes.' Both of the pilots applied full left rudder and the airplane departed the right side of the runway and accelerated into a ground loop. Federal Aviation Administration publication FAA-H-8083-3, Airplane Flying Handbook stated, 'If the airplane touches down while drifting or in a crab, the pilot should apply aileron toward the high wing and stop the swerve with the rudder. Brakes should be used to correct for turns or swerves only when the rudder is inadequate. The pilot must exercise caution when applying corrective brake action because it is very easy to overcontrol and aggravate the situation.' The pilot reported 4 hours of total flight experience in make and model. The winds reported at the airport, at 0854, were 320 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 19 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The second pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and the inadequate supervision of the flight instructor. Factors related to the accident were the crosswind and gusting wind conditions.

Full Narrative

On April 30, 2000, about 0845 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 185F, N6535E, was substantially damaged while landing at the Pottstown Limerick Airport, Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and commercial pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the CFI, the pilot receiving instruction flew over the airport to verify the wind conditions and entered the traffic pattern for Runway 28, a 3,371-foot long, 75 foot wide, asphalt runway. While landing, the airplane bounced once on the main landing gear and began a rollout. Control positions of left rudder, right aileron, and elevator transitioning to full up, were inputted for the crosswind condition. After about 500-600 feet into the rollout, the airplane began to veer to the right. Both of the pilots applied full left rudder and the airplane departed the right side of the runway, into a grass area. The left wing struck the ground and the airplane pitched forward before coming to rest upright. According to the pilot, this was his second instructional flight in the airplane. After the airplane landed, it had decelerated considerably until a swerve developed to the right. The pilot counteracted the swerve with the remaining amount of left rudder and then began "feeding in left brake." The airplane had not changed its heading of more than 30 degrees, when the CFI commanded the pilot to "get off the brakes." The airplane continued to swerve off the right side of the runway and accelerated into a ground loop. Federal Aviation Administration publication FAA-H-8083-3, Airplane Flying Handbook stated, "If the airplane touches down while drifting or in a crab, the pilot should apply aileron toward the high wing and stop the swerve with the rudder. Brakes should be used to correct for turns or swerves only when the rudder is inadequate. The pilot must exercise caution when applying corrective brake action because it is very easy to overcontrol and aggravate the situation." The pilot reported 4 hours of total flight experience in make and model. The winds reported at the airport, at 0854, were 320 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 19 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 EDT
Nearest AirportPottstown Limerick (0nm)
Runway28
Runway Length3371 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 185F
Tail NumberN6535E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 285
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 13 kt, gusting 19 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data