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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

February 13, 2004 · Cessna 185F · N4836Q

Mesa, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 13, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mesa, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 185F
Tail Number
N4836Q
Operator
Michael Golder
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX04LA131

The airplane ground looped during landing and swerved off the runway. During the landing rollout while practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings, the pilot looked down to set the trim. When he looked up, the airplane was turning right, and the left wing tip was almost touching the ground. The airplane then veered off the runway, and the left wing impacted the ground. The pilot reported that no mechanical problems were experienced with the airplane. The pilot's total flying experience was about 265 hours, with the majority of the flight time in conventional gear airplanes. He had approximately 7 hours of flight time in this make and model of airplane, accumulating 2 hours of flight time in the last thirty days. To prevent similar accidents, the pilot recommended "not looking down, and flying the airplane until it stops." About the time of the accident, the 90-degree right crosswind component was approximately 8 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. A factor in this accident was the pilot's diverted attention.

Full Narrative

On February 13, 2004, at 1426 mountain standard time, a Cessna 185F, N4836Q, ground looped during the landing roll and departed the runway at the Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from the Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona, about 1300. The pilot reported that the mishap occurred while he was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings on runway 22R. During his fifth or sixth landing rollout, as the groundspeed decreased to 10 miles per hour, the pilot looked down to set the trim. When he looked up, the airplane was turning right, and the left wing tip was "almost" touching the ground. The airplane then veered off the runway and the left wing impacted the ground. The pilot reported that no mechanical problems were experienced with the airplane. The pilot stated that his total flying experience was about 264 hours, with the majority of the flight time in conventional gear airplanes. He had approximately 7 hours of flight time in this make and model of airplane, accumulating 2 hours in the last thirty days. To prevent similar accidents, the pilot recommended "not looking down, and flying the airplane until it stops." According to the pilot, at the time of the accident the surface wind was from 310 degrees at 8 knots. The winds reported by the Falcon Field Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at 1451 were from 300 at 6 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:26 MST
Nearest AirportFalcon Field (0nm)
Runway22R
Runway Length3801 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 185F
Tail NumberN4836Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMichael Golder
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 52 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 6 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 3 C
Altimeter30.14 inHg
Observation Time21:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data