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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 18, 2000 · Cessna 185 · N9955X

Borrego Springs, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 18, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Borrego Springs, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 185
Tail Number
N9955X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX00LA198

According to the airport manager, the wind was reported to be from the southwest at 8 to 10 knots, with higher gusts. The pilot stated that on the landing rollout he encountered a gusting, quartering tailwind, which lifted the left wing and caused the airplane to veer to the right side of the runway. The airplane then ground looped into the soft sand beside the runway. The pilot said there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during landing.

Full Narrative

On May 18, 2000, at 1400 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 185, N9955X, ground looped while landing on runway 25 at the Borrego Valley Airport, Borrego Springs, California. During the ground loop, the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing was bent. The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Ramona, California, airport at 1315 as a cross-country flight to Borrego Springs. According to the airport manager, the wind was reported to be from the southwest at 8 to 10 knots, with higher gusts. The pilot stated that on the landing rollout he encountered a gusting, quartering tailwind, which lifted the left wing and caused the airplane to veer to the right side of the runway. The airplane then ground looped into the soft sand beside the runway. The pilot said there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 PDT
Nearest AirportBorrego Valley (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 185
Tail NumberN9955X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470F · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 77 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data