# NTSB CEN12CA614: Cessna L-19E, N4431F, Lancaster, TX, September 1, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 1, 2012, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, TX - Coordinates: 32.577499, -96.717498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5775&lon=-96.7175&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 January 31, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Dallas FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84965 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA614 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84965/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84965 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA614 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 L-19E, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2074016), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna L-19E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2074016), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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 L-19E, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2074016), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna L-19E, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2074016), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he landed the tailwheel-equipped airplane on the main wheels and upon slowing to about 20 mph, lowered the tailwheel to the runway. The airplane veered to the right, and the pilot attempted to control the direction by applying the left brake. He “overcorrected” to the left, and the airplane ground looped and veered off the left side of the runway. The inspection of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing spar. The pilot stated that he should have added power to maintain directional control as soon as the turn started. He reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he landed the tailwheel equipped airplane on the main wheels and upon slowing to about 20 mph, lowered the tailwheel to the runway. The airplane veered to the right, and the pilot attempted to control the direction by applying the left brake. He “overcorrected” to the left, and the airplane ground looped and veered off the left side of the runway. The inspection of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing spar. The pilot stated that he should have maintained directional control by adding power instead of applying the left brake. He reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane prior to the ground loop. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4431F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4431F), registered now, S/N 24562 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA L-19E - Registry model: [Cessna L-19E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-l-19e) (registry code 2074016) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24562 - Airframe hours: 6851 - Engines: Continental O-470-11 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Brian I. Hague - Registered owner: Brian I. Hague - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 2011 - Departed: T82, Fredericksburg, TX - Destination: LNC, Lancaster, TX - Airport: LNC, Lancaster Regional Airport, runway 13, 6,502 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 2,613 total, 409 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: LNC, 5 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 20120901028129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120901028129A), Sep 1, 2012: Cessna L-19E, Lancaster, TX, Substantial damage. On September 1, 2012 the pilot departed fredericksburg, TX at 0735L with flight plans to Lancaster Regional (lnc), TX. The flight time enroute to lnc was… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 6, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84965. 902 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 902 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382717&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.