# NTSB ATL91LA036: Cessna 195B, N2187C, La Grange, GA, January 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1991, 14:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: La Grange, GA
- Coordinates: 33.040569, -85.120338 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0406&lon=-85.1203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8367
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8367/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA036

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE TAILWHEEL STEERING SPRING.

## 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,steering system - failure,partial (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT WAS ON LANDING ROLL WHEN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN IT RAN OFF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A DITCH. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAILWHEEL STEERING SPRING HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2187C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2187C), registered now, S/N 16172 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 195B
- Registry model: [Cessna 195A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-195a) (registry code 2073110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16172
- Engines: JACOBS R-755-A2 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Abbott, Ted M.
- Registered owner: Abbott, Ted M.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: LGC, La Grange Calloway, runway 31, 5,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 19,380 total, 35 in this make and model, 13,152 as pilot in command, 202 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast
- Observed at: CSG, 30 nm away

## 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 19910102000539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910102000539A), Jan 2, 1991: Cessna 195A, La Grange, GA, Substantial damage. Tail wheel steering spring broke. Caused runway excursion and ground loop into a ditch. Nosed over before stopping.

## Other investigations on N2187C (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 MIA86LA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA206), Jul 12, 1986: Cessna 195A (N2187C), Orlando, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI69D0417](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69D0417), Nov 26, 1968: Cessna 195A (N2187C), Madison, WI, 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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