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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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July 22, 1987 · Cessna A185F · N252W

Chandler, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 22, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Chandler, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna A185F
Tail Number
N252W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA277

THE CFI INDICATED THAT THE TAILWHEEL BEGAN TO SHIMMY DURING ROLLOUT. AS FORWARD CONTROL YOKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED THE SHIMMY WENT AWAY, HOWEVER, AS THE ACFT BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN, THE TAILWHEEL WAS LOWERED AND BEGAN TO SHIMMY AGAIN. AS THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SLOW IT VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE CFI APPLIED LEFT RUDDER. INITIALLY THE ACFT CONTINUED TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY IT ROLLED LEFT, DRAGGING ITS LEFT WING AND COLLAPSING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RETENTION BOLT FOR THE LEFT LANDING GEAR SPRING ASSEMBLY WAS BENT AND DISPLAYED ROTATIONAL SCORING AT ITS MID-POINT. THE THREADS OF BOTH THE BOLT AND ITS ASSOCIATED NUT WERE FOUND STRIPPED.

Full Narrative

THE CFI INDICATED THAT THE TAILWHEEL BEGAN TO SHIMMY DURING ROLLOUT. AS FORWARD CONTROL YOKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED THE SHIMMY WENT AWAY, HOWEVER, AS THE ACFT BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN, THE TAILWHEEL WAS LOWERED AND BEGAN TO SHIMMY AGAIN. AS THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SLOW IT VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE CFI APPLIED LEFT RUDDER. INITIALLY THE ACFT CONTINUED TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY IT ROLLED LEFT, DRAGGING ITS LEFT WING AND COLLAPSING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RETENTION BOLT FOR THE LEFT LANDING GEAR SPRING ASSEMBLY WAS BENT AND DISPLAYED ROTATIONAL SCORING AT ITS MID-POINT. THE THREADS OF BOTH THE BOLT AND ITS ASSOCIATED NUT WERE FOUND STRIPPED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 MST
Nearest AirportStellar Airpark (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length4005 ft
Runway Width55 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A185F
Tail NumberN252W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 5 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:00
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data