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NTSB Report

October 22, 2010 · Cessna 185 · N5011X

Fort Thomas, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 22, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Fort Thomas, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 185
Tail Number
N5011X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR11CA024

The pilot stated that after flying for about 10 minutes he made a normal traffic pattern approach and touched down on the runway. The initial rollout was without incident; however, seconds after lowering the tailwheel onto the runway surface, the airplane encountered a sudden gust of wind from the right, which was akin to a dust devil, or strong whirlwind. At this point in time, the pilot had minimal rudder authority. Despite his efforts to maintain directional control, the airplane's left wingtip contacted the runway and the airplane rolled off the runway and into a berm. During the accident sequence the outboard portion of the left wing was bent and the right wing strut was bent. The pilot indicated that he had no warning of the presence of the dust devil swirl of air. No weather reporting services are available at the airport from which the pilot took off and landed. The pilot reported that the windsock had indicated that the wind speed was between 5 and 7 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The airplane's encounter with a dust devil during landing rollout, which resulted in the pilot not being able to maintain directional control.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot, after flying for nearly 10 minutes he made a normal traffic pattern approach and touched down on the runway. The pilot stated that the initial rollout was without incident. However, seconds after lowering the tail wheel, the airplane encountered a sudden gust of wind from the right, which was like a dust devil swirl of air. At this point in time, the pilot had minimal rudder authority. Despite his efforts to maintain directional control, the airplane's left wing tip contacted the runway, and the airplane rolled off the runway and into a berm. The right wing tip also impacted the ground. The outboard portion of the left wing was bent, and the right wing strut was bent. The pilot indicated that he had no warning of the presence of the dust devil swirl of air, and he did not specify its speed in his accident report. No weather reporting services are available at the airport from which the pilot took off and landed. The pilot reported that the windsock had indicated the wind speed was between 5 and 7 knots. No mechanical malfunctions were reported with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:50 MST
Nearest AirportRegeneration (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 185
Tail NumberN5011X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindGusting 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data