# NTSB ANC83FA120: Cessna 305E, N68396, Eielson Afb, AK, July 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1983, 12:08 local (20:08 UTC)
- Place: Eielson Afb, AK
- Coordinates: 64.670936, -147.040542 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.6709&lon=-147.0405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4037
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4037/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA120

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT THE WIND WAS VARIABLE FROM 210 TO 240 DEG AT 2 GUSTING 8 KTS. WHILE LANDING ON THE WIDE RWY (31), HE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RIGHT SIDE & WAS ANGLING TO THE LEFT TO MINIMIZE THE X-WIND COMPONENT. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT & THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE TAILWHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS LOOSE AT THE ATTACHING POINT TO THE LEAF SPRING. ALSO, IT WAS ASSEMBLED INCORRECTLY WHICH MADE THE PIVOT OPERATION STIFF. HOWEVER, THE TAILWHEEL REPORTEDLY WOULD NOT JAM TO 1 SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68396](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68396), registered now, S/N 23522, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305E
- Registry model: [Cessna 305E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305e) (registry code 2074030) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23522
- Airframe hours: 4402
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-15 213 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Donald G. Ritter
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1983, 24 hours before
- Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: EIL, Eielson Afb, runway 31, 14,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,231 total, 16 in this make and model, 1,040 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 2 knots, gusting 8
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 16,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F

## 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 19830710030059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830710030059A), Jul 10, 1983: Cessna 305E, Eielson Afb, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control and ground looped as tail wheel touched down. Tail wheel assembled incorrectly and worn.

## Other investigations on N68396 (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 ANC87LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA014), Nov 19, 1986: Cessna 305E (N68396), Barrow, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC86LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA087), Jun 26, 1986: Cessna 305/L-19 (N68396), Barrow, AK, substantial damage

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.

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