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GAA19CA244

2019-05-04 · VALPARAISO, Indiana, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport VPZ

Current FAA registration · N7711L

Make / Model
CESSNA A185E
Year of manufacture
1969 · 50 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES (285 hp)
Seats / Engines
6 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19690528
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AA6F44

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's improper throttle application and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll in gusting left crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop.

Factual narrative

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, he was performing stop and go take offs and landings. During the takeoff roll, the tailwheel came off the ground, and the airplane encountered a significant wind from the left. He applied left aileron, and right rudder to compensate for the wind, but the airplane ground-looped to the left. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the right aileron. The airport's Meteorological Aerodrome Report, about the time of the accident, reported that the wind was from 030° at 8 knots and gusting to 14 knots. Additionally, the wind was reported as variable between 340° and 070°. The airplane took off from runway 9. The pilot added that a, "slower application of the throttle and keeping the tailwheel on the ground longer during the takeoff roll, will prevent this type of accident from occurring in the future." The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was performing stop-and-go takeoffs and landings. During a takeoff roll, the tailwheel lifted off the ground, and the airplane encountered a significant wind from the left. He applied left aileron and right rudder to compensate for the wind, but the airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and right aileron. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that a "slower application of the throttle and keeping the tailwheel on the ground longer during the takeoff roll, will prevent this type of accident from occurring in the future." 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 Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation - C
  • C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Variable wind-Effect on operation - C
  • C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2019_GAA19CA244.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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