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GAA16CA217

2016-04-09 · Chesterfield, Missouri, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport SUS

Current FAA registration · N4095A

Make / Model
CESSNA A185F
Year of manufacture
1979 · 37 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES (285 hp)
Seats / Engines
6 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19790828
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A4D118

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop and a wing strike.

Factual narrative

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll in gusty crosswind conditions, the airplane started to veer to the right. The pilot further reported that he applied left rudder and brake, but the airplane ground looped to the right and the left wing struck the runway. The left wing and left elevator were substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observing system at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 080 degrees true at 7 knots, for the landing on runway 26. The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll in gusty crosswind conditions, the airplane started to veer to the right. The pilot further reported that he applied left rudder and brake, but the airplane ground looped to the right and the left wing struck the runway. The left wing and left elevator were substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observing system at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 080 degrees true at 7 knots, for the landing on runway 26. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Ability to respond/compensate
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Ability to respond/compensate

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_GAA16CA217.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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