Cessna 185 Skywagon, N185NV: Accident occurred February 11, 2015 at Carson Airport (KCXP), Carson City, Nevada

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Reno, Nevada 

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

http://registry.faa.gov/N185NV

Location: Carson City, NV
Accident Number: WPR15CA102
Date & Time: 02/11/2015, 1510 PST
Registration: N185NV
Aircraft: CESSNA 185 - E
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that immediately after touchdown he felt a very strong crosswind from the left that kicked the tail to the right. He then added full right rudder and full power in an attempt to go around, however, the torque and P-factor, combined with the wind gust pulled the right wing to the ground. The pilot stated that he subsequently reduced power and aborted the takeoff. With the right wing still in contact with the ground, the airplane rolled off of the runway into some soft mud, which resulted in the airplane spinning around onto its nose, followed by the left wing contacting the ground; the airplane came to rest on its nose and left wing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings and associated ailerons, and both elevators. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind which resulted in a ground loop.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Crosswind - Contributed to outcome

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Runway excursion
  
Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 50
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/12/2014
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/04/2014
Flight Time:  628 hours (Total, all aircraft), 85 hours (Total, this make and model), 628 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 14 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 13 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
  
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: CESSNA
Registration: N185NV
Model/Series: 185 - E E
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1965
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 185-0984
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/30/2014, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3350 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 11 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 
Engine Manufacturer: Continental Motor
ELT: 
Engine Model/Series: IO-550-D15B
Registered Owner: Andrew T Hoffman
Rated Power: 300 hp
Operator: Andrew T Hoffman
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: CXP, 4705 ft msl
Observation Time: 1515 PST
Distance from Accident Site: 
Direction from Accident Site: 
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 12°C / 0°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots, 90°
Visibility (RVR): 
Altimeter Setting: 30.29 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV): 
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Dayton, NV (A34)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Carson City, CA (CXP)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1258 PST
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Carson City Airport (CXP)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 4705 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 09
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6101 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  39.193333, -119.737778 (est)