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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 16, 2004 · Cessna 185A · N1624H

Polson, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Polson, MT
Aircraft
Cessna 185A
Tail Number
N1624H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA04LA087

On the day of the accident, the pilot was performing a series of touch-and-go landings in variable gusty wind conditions in order to "...maintain proficiency on a gusty day." After three successful touch-and-go landings, the pilot decided to make the next landing a full-stop termination of the flight. During the subject landing, the wind shifted from a quartering headwind to a quartering tailwind, and although the touchdown was uneventful, during the landing roll the aircraft suddenly started turning toward the side of the runway. Although the pilot applied control inputs in an attempt to keep the aircraft on the runway, his inputs were not adequate to overcome the effects of the varying wind conditions, and therefore the aircraft departed the side of the runway. The pilot then added full power in order to regain control and execute a go-around. During that sequence of events, the aircraft's left wing contacted the ground and the left horizontal stabilizer impacted a runway marker. The pilot was then able to complete the go-around, whereupon he flew a normal traffic pattern and returned for a subsequent full-stop landing. He discovered the damage to the airframe after taxiing to his hangar and shutting the aircraft down. There was no evidence of any anomaly in the flight control or wheel brake systems.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the changing wind conditions at the time of the landing. Factors include gusty, variable, crosswinds, and a runway marker near the edge of the runway the pilot was landing on.

Full Narrative

On May 16, 2004, approximately 0945 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 185A, N1624H, impacted a runway marker during a go-around from a planned full-stop landing at Polson Airport, Polson, Montana. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which originated at the Polson Airport about 15 minuets earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. There was no report of an ELT transmission. According to the pilot, he was performing a series of touch-and-go landings in variable gusty wind conditions in order to "...maintain proficiency on a gusty day." After three successful touch-and-go landings, the pilot decided to make the next landing a full-stop termination of the flight. During the subject landing, the wind shifted from a quartering headwind to a quartering tailwind, and although the touchdown was uneventful, during the landing roll the aircraft suddenly started turning toward the side of the runway. Although the pilot applied control inputs in an attempt to keep the aircraft on the runway, he was unable to overcome the effects of the varying wind conditions, and the aircraft departed the side of the runway. He therefore added full power in order to regain control and execute a go-around. During that sequence of events the left wing contacted the ground and the left horizontal stabilizer impacted a runway marker. The pilot was then able to complete the go-around, whereupon he flew a normal traffic pattern and retuned for a subsequent full-stop landing. He discovered the damage to the airframe after taxiing to his hanger and shutting the aircraft down. According to the FAA inspector who responded to the accident, there was no evidence of any anomaly in the flight control or wheel braking systems.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:45 MDT
Nearest AirportPolson Airport (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length4195 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 185A
Tail NumberN1624H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 320
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 5 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 1800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data