Cessna A185 N185KL accident near Port Townsend, Washington

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing, which resulted in a nose over.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll with a crosswind, he utilized full right aileron input to maintain directional control. The airplane encountered a gust of wind from the right that lifted the right wing, and the left wing dropped and impacted the runway surface. The airplane then began to veer to the right. While the pilot was attempting to correct, the airplane nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, right lift strut, vertical stabilizer and rudder.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR20CA220 for the full record.