While taking off from Runway 32 at the airport in Fredericksburg, Texas, the Cessna 185 encountered a crosswind. As soon as the tailwheel came off the runway, the plane veered to the left.
The pilot attempted to correct with the application of right rudder and brake, however the plane continued off the runway. The right wing dragged on the ground and the right main landing gear separated, resulting in substantial damage.
Wind at the time of the accident was recorded as 240° at 10 knots, gusting to 14 knots.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as the pilot not maintaining directional control of the airplane during the takeoff with a gusting crosswind.
NTSB Identification: CEN14CA177
This February 2014 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Gusty crosswind from the left – always entertaining in a 185, but should certainly be manageable.
And contrary to those who apparently believe that nostalgia is the main reason for flying a taildragger, it’d be a cold day in hell before I would give up my 185 for some lesser performing airplane with the same horsepower and a training wheel up front.
I too love tdraggers, would much rather fly a tdragger than A/C with training wheel, 185 is my 2nd favorite Tdragger.
And, your favorite tail dragger is?
Beech 18.
Mine is Aronica Champ. 7EC
Champ is great airplane, it was my first tdragger as a student, gave a lot of dual in them, it us my preference for tdragger instruction. If anyone interested, my top 10 tdraggers .
Beech 18
C185
Staggerwing
Champ
Swift
Howard
Piper Clipper
Beaver
C180
Super Cub
Let’s not forget: Modern GA aircraft were developed with tricycle gear with the advent of paved runways. The main (only ?) reasons for flying TD’s today has to do with (1 landing on rough surfaces and (2 nostalgia. Just as I prefer flying an aircraft that doesn’t dive unexpecdedly with winds from above, especially when low and slow, I much prefer the safety and convenience of an airplane with the 3d wheel in front.
Gentlemen, you both make good points. But JW, you have never been caught by surprise? Of course we always should expect the unexpected, but too much of that could make us paranoid.
Flying is inherently dangerous as we are going up against gravity, and gravity always wins.
80 degrees at 14 knots is not a crosswind, it is only a nuisance, that a staggering number of GA pilots are unable to handle, a very sorry testimony to the quality of pilots today.
How’s your keyboard flying going today?
The point of these posts is to learn and grow from others mistakes, not to criticize them.
I would hope, that people would look at these and come to realize what a sad state pilot profiency is in, and strive to do something about it, losing control of a 185 in a 14 knot xwind is totally unacceptable
How quick to judge
I agree with John.
Keyboard Flying???? After 50 years, 15,000 hours, 5,000 in Tdraggers, I will put my stick and rudder skills in any GA aircraft up against yours, anytime.
Hello John.
My skills, unlike yours, are not based on ego. I don’t claim I’m amazing at anything I do. I allow the fruits of my labor speak for themselves.
I, unlike you, don’t ridicule the mistakes of others.
Losing control of a 185 in a 14 knot xwind, is not a mistake, it is negligence, it is inexcusable, it deserves to be ridiculed. I would hope that both you and that pilot will get help to see that your thoughts and priorities are seriously out of whack.
I just hope we don’t read about Mr Wesley on the Accident Reports. Carma is not good.