Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI06LA255

Valentine, NE, USA

Aircraft #1

N4730Q

Cessna A185E

Analysis

The airplane ground looped during landing. The pilot reported that when she applied the left brake the airplane ground looped. Wind conditions reported near the time of the accident were: wind 350 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 25 knots.

Factual Information

On August 25, 2006, at 2130 central daylight time, a Cessna A185E, N4730Q, owned and piloted by an airline transport pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain when the airplane ground-looped during landing at Miller Field Airport, Valentine, Nebraska. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot was uninjured. The pilot reported that she performed a "wheel landing" on runway 32 (4,700 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) and that after landing the airplane began to drift to the right. When the tail wheel contacted the runway she reported that the "right wheel dropped off of some uneven pavement". The pilot then applied the left brake and the airplane subsequently ground looped. Wind conditions reported near the time of the accident were: wind 350 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 25 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, resulting in an inadvertent ground loop by the pilot. A factor contributing to the accident was the gusting crosswind condition.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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