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GAA16CA260

2016-05-24 · Anchorage, Alaska, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport LHD

Current FAA registration · N17SR

Make / Model
CESSNA A185F
Year of manufacture
1974 · 42 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES (285 hp)
Seats / Engines
6 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19970527
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A11874

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

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

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing roll, full right rudder was applied to compensate for crosswind conditions. The pilot further reported that as a turn was made to exit the runway, the tail swung to the right and the airplane ground looped. During the ground loop, the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing was substantially damaged after impacting terrain. An automated weather observing system at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 300 degrees true at 9 knots, for the landing on runway 32. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that during the landing roll, full right rudder was applied to compensate for crosswind conditions. The pilot further reported that as a turn was made to exit the runway, the tail swung to the right and the airplane ground looped. During the ground loop, the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing was substantially damaged after impacting terrain. An automated weather observing system at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 300 degrees true at 9 knots, for the landing on runway 32. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 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

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_GAA16CA260.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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