# NTSB CEN14CA260: Cessna 120, N2774N, Wadsworth, OH, May 27, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2014, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Wadsworth, OH - Coordinates: 41.029998, -81.779998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0300&lon=-81.7800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 89296 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA260 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89296/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89296 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA260 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing which resulted in a runway excursion. ## 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 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) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Cessna 120, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The instructor pilot reported the student had approximately 30 hours of prior flight time in the accident airplane. The instructor and student were practicing tail wheel landings. On the third landing, the student touched down normally. During rollout, the instructor advised the student to lower the tail to eliminate tail rudder effectiveness. At that time, the student applied brakes causing the airplane to skid off the right side of the runway. The airplane overturned and came to rest inverted approximately 4 feet of the runway edge. A post-accident examination revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and vertical stabilizer. In the instructor's written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board he noted that the accident might have been prevented if he taught breaking effectiveness to lift the tail during high speed taxiing instead of during landings. ## Factual narrative The instructor pilot reported the student had approximately 30 hours of prior flight time in the accident airplane. The instructor and student were practicing tail wheel landings. On the third landing, the student touched down normally. During rollout, the instructor advised the student to lower the tail to eliminate tail rudder effectiveness. At that time, the student applied brakes causing the airplane to skid off the right side of the runway. The airplane overturned and came to rest inverted approximately 4 feet of the runway edge. A post-accident examination revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and vertical stabilizer. In the instructor's written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board he noted that the accident might have been prevented if he taught breaking effectiveness to lift the tail during high speed taxiing instead of during landings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2774N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2774N-2017-09-11), registration cancelled 2017-09-11, S/N 12020, 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: 12020 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 3911 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Skypark Inc - Registered owner: Skypark Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 2013 - Departed: 15G, Wadsworth, OH - Destination: 15G, Wadsworth, OH - Airport: 15G, Weltzien Skypark, runway 03, 2,410 × 37 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 24, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 9,300 total, 600 in this make and model, 9,200 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 14, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 985 total, 35 in this make and model, 904 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 13 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: BJJ, 12 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 20140527006879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140527006879A), May 27, 2014: Cessna 120, Wadsworth, OH, Substantial damage. A certified flight instructor was giving instruction in a Cessna 120. During the landing rollout, the student accidentally applied the aircraft brakes to… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 7, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89296. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417432&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.