Bend, OR, USA
N185NH
Cessna 185E
During the landing roll of a full-stop landing, the airplane encountered an unexpected gusting crosswind, and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control. After the pilot lost directional control, one of the airplane's wing tips impacted the runway surface. Inspection of the aircraft found no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the control or brake systems.
During the time the pilot was inbound to the airport, the winds were reported as variable in direction at five knots or less. While on final for a full-stop landing, the pilot encountered some mild thermal turbulence. Although the flare and touchdown were uneventful, during the landing roll, the airplane encountered a gusting crosswind, and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control. After the pilot lost directional control, the airplane's right wing tip impacted the runway surface. The surface impact resulted in the most outboard one foot of the right aileron being bent down about 45 degrees and aft about 30 degrees. Inspection of the aircraft found no anomalies in the flight control or tail wheel steering systems.
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident was an unexpected crosswind gust.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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