Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
NTSB analysis
The pilot said that he had landed on a small, dry lake bed. He departed with a slight left crosswind, and the airplane began to weathervane to the left. The pilot was unable to counteract the left-turning tendency with the rudder, so he aborted the takeoff. When he applied the brakes, the airplane ground looped to the left, bending the right wing and horizontal stabilizer. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA381 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 31, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Gerlach, Nevada
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna A185F
- N-number
- N3946Q
- 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.