# Accident 20230914015789A: Cessna 305A, Cortland, NY, September 14, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 14, 2023, 15:00 local time
- Place: Cortland, NY
- Airport: Cortland County-Chase Field
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.5926° N, 76.2149° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5926&lon=-76.2149&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5269G, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5269G) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 305A (registry code 2074002, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental O-470 series (registry code 17026, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 3 total, 3 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA23LA374](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA374) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230914015789A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

A PILOT WAS ENTRUSTED WITH THE TASK OF FLYING A FRIEND'S AIRCRAFT FROM OXFORD COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT IN MAINE, WHERE IT HAD RECENTLY BEEN PURCHASED, TO DELIVER IT TO THE NEW OWNER IN KANSAS. THE AIRCRAFT HAD UNDERGONE ITS ANNUAL INSPECTION IN FEBRUARY 2022 BUT HAD NOT BEEN SUBJECTED TO A PRE-BUY INSPECTION AND LACKED INSURANCE COVERAGE. DESPITE THE PILOT'S EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE OF OVER 5,000 HOURS IN TAIL-DRAGGING AIRCRAFT, HE HAD NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.

ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2023, AT APPROXIMATELY 2:00 PM, THE CESSNA 305A MADE A ROUTINE LANDING AT CORTLAND COUNTY AIRPORT IN NEW YORK (N02) FOR REFUELING AND TO ALLOW THE PILOT TO REST. THE APPROACH AND LANDING PROCEEDED AS EXPECTED. HOWEVER, DURING THE ROLLOUT PHASE, WHEN THE PILOT APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE AIRCRAFT UNEXPECTEDLY OVERTURNED. NOTABLY, THE BRAKING SYSTEM OF THE CESSNA 305A OPERATES DIFFERENTLY FROM THAT OF MOST OTHER AIRCRAFT.  THERE WAS ONLY ONE PERSON ON BOARD, THE PILOT, MANAGED TO ESCAPE WITHOUT ANY INJURIES. AS A PRECAUTION, THE PILOT WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL FOR A CHECKUP. LATER IN THE DAY, THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE CRASH SITE.

IT'S WORTH MENTIONING THAT THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME EXCEEDED THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR VISUAL FLIGHT RULES (VFR), WITH WINDS AT 6 KNOTS AND OCCASIONAL GUSTS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA23LA374](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA374), Sep 14, 2023: Cessna 305 (N5269G), Cortland, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a gusting crosswind, which resulted in a noseover. Contributing was the pilot’s lack of familiarity with the airplane.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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