Cessna 195A accident near Independence, Iowa, April 18, 2015
On April 18, 2015 at about 2:15 pm local time, a 1954 Cessna 195A, registered N1558D, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Independence, Iowa (Independence Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's attempt to land in strong crosswind conditions, resulting in his on-ground loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind that exceeded the crosswind limits of the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 18, 2015 · about 2:15 pm local time
- Place
- Independence, Iowa · Independence Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 195A, built 1954 · all 195As on the register
- Registration
- N1558D · registry record · serial 7780
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was landing on runway 36. After touching down, the airplane began a slow right turn. The pilot attempted to correct by applying left rudder and light braking, but the airplane departed the right side of the runway, and was substantially damaged. The wind was from 100 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 18 knots, which resulted in a 13.7 to 17.7 knot crosswind component, and a 2.5 to 3.2 knot tailwind component. Most light general aviation airplanes are limited to a direct crosswind component of 15 knots.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,812 hours in all; 45 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 2,654 as pilot in command; 1,298 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 23, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 11,578 hours in all; 8,281 as pilot in command; 667 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 22, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 614 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,351 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jacobs R755 A-2 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KDBQ Dubuque IA at 1:30 pm
- Destination: KIIB Independence IA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 5,500 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 14 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 2:35 pm from KIIB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N1558D the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.