Cessna A185F accident near Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 3, 2005
On February 3, 2005 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Cessna A185F, registered N1767R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Minneapolis, Minnesota (Anoka County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A failure of the tail wheel locking mechanism which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 3, 2005 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Minneapolis, Minnesota · Anoka County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A185F · all A185Fs on the register
- Registration
- N1767R · registry record · serial 18502487
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with the terrain following a loss of directional control after touchdown. The pilot reported that after touching down, as the airplane slowed, it began turning to the right. The pilot stated he already had left aileron and rudder applied because there was a slight crosswind. However, he applied more aileron and rudder but the turn became more severe. He stated he tried the left brake to no avail. He stated the airplane was veering about 30 degrees off the runway centerline and he applied right brake to try and slow the airplane. The pilot stated the airplane began to skid as it traveled to the side of the runway at a speed of 35 to 40 knots. The pilot stated the airplane tipped to the left when it contacted the slushy grass. The left wing and left horizontal stabilizer contacted the ground prior to the airplane settling back on the main gear. The pilot stated the airplane continued to turn until it came to rest facing the runway. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed the tail wheel steering pawl was worn to the point that it would not sufficiently lock the locking collar allowing the tail wheel to castor on landing.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 907 hours in all; 6 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 798 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 6, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,787 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 6, 2005; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,525 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PKD Park Rapids MN at 7:50 pm
- Destination: ANE Anoka MN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 4,855 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from ANE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.
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.