# NTSB ANC14CA024: Cessna 120, N77336, Fairbanks, AK, April 28, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 28, 2014, 13:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.808052, -147.862503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8081&lon=-147.8625&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 18, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Fairbanks FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89136 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14CA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89136/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89136 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA024 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during landing, resulting in a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing her tailwheel-equipped airplane on a dry, asphalt runway. During the landing roll, the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot stated that she applied right rudder to correct for the veer, but over corrected, and the airplane ground looped, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was landing her tailwheel-equipped airplane on a dry, asphalt runway. During the landing roll, the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot stated that she applied right rudder to correct for the veer, but over corrected, and the airplane ground looped, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N77336](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77336-2020-09-04), registration cancelled 2020-09-04, S/N 11778, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 120 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11778 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 2045 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 28, 2014, 0 hours before - Departed: FAI, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: FAI, Fairbanks, AK - Airport: FAI, Fairbanks Intl, runway 20L, 6,501 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 8, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 295 total, 139 in this make and model, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: PAFA ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20140428006549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140428006549A), Apr 28, 2014: Cessna 120, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. On landing, aircraft yawed left, pilot overcorrected resulting in ground loop. Weather was not a factor, it appears aircraft touched down when not properly… ## Other investigations on N77336 (2) 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 SEA73DYG11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA73DYG11), Aug 14, 1972: Cessna 120 (N77336), Rockford, WA, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA70DWD04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA70DWD04), Feb 28, 1970: Cessna 120 (N77336), Auburn, WA, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 2, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89136. 377 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 377 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412944&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.