Probable cause
The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, after an uneventful local flight, he made a normal landing approach. Upon touchdown on the right main landing gear, the airplane bounced and ground looped to the left. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to both wings and the tail section. The pilot reported that he should not have delayed performance of a more effective recovery from the bounced landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA685 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 6, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hays, Kansas
- Nearest airport
- Hays Regional Airport (HYS)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna A185F
- N-number
- N550DP
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.