Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On March 1, 1999, at 1602 mountain standard time, Cessna 185, N9823X, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing roll at the Durango-La Plata County Airport, Durango, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Durango approximately 1545.

According his accident report, the pilot said the wind was "steady at 14 mph, gusting to 24 mph," between 240 and 260 degrees, as he attempted to make a crosswind wheel landing on runway 20. When the airplane touched down, the left wheel "skidded" when left brake was applied. The airplane ground looped and departed the right side of the runway, incurring substantial damage to the left wing.

N9823X, a 1961 Cessna 185, was certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration under Type Certificate 3A24. No maximum or demonstrated crosswind component is listed in the Pilot's Operating Handbook.

According to FAA's Flight Standards District Office in Salt Lake City, Utah, this was the pilot's fourth accident and the third one in this particular airplane, to wit:

August 16, 1989 Cessna 185 N9823X August 16, 1990 Mooney M20 N100JM June 13, 1992 Cessna 185 N9823X March 1, 1999 Cessna 185 N9823X The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and inadvertently allowing the airplane to ground loop. Factors were gusty crosswind conditions, pertinent crosswind information not made available by the manufacturer, and FAA's inadequate certification and approval of the airplane.