# NTSB CEN14LA089: Cessna 305C (0 1E), N83CN, Hondo, TX, December 17, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 17, 2013, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Hondo, TX - Coordinates: 29.359167, -99.177497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3592&lon=-99.1775&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA -- San Antonio Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 88562 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88562/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88562 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA089 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during an attempted go-around for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s and pilot’s decision to continue flight after experiencing repeated problems upon landing. ## 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 305C (0-1E), 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2074014), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305C (0-1E), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2074014), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/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 305C (0-1E), 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2074014), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305C (0-1E), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2074014), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305C (0-1E), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2074014), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 305C (0-1E), 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2074014), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 305C (0-1E), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2074014), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 305C (0-1E), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2074014), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that he and the private pilot were conducting a flight review at the time of the accident. The pilot performed the first two landings, during which the airplane tended to turn left. The flight instructor then decided to complete the third landing, which he did with "minimal directional control problems." The pilot attempted to complete the fourth landing, but the airplane tended to turn left again, so he aborted the landing. After going around and attempting a final landing, the pilot again initiated an aborted landing; however, according to the flight instructor, a "severe left turn" developed, which resulted in a runway excursion, ground loop, and landing gear collapse. The flight instructor stated that they should have terminated the flight earlier to investigate the left-turning tendency. A postaccident examination of the landing gear did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure. However, the left main landing gear attachment bolt was not recovered, which precluded a complete examination of the landing gear assembly. As a result, it could not be determined whether an impending failure of the landing gear resulted in the pilot's loss of directional control or whether the loss of control precipitated the landing gear collapse. ## Factual narrative On December 17, 2013, about 1130 central standard time, a Cessna 305C (0-1E) airplane, N83CN, was substantially damaged during a runway excursion and ground loop after an aborted landing attempt at the South Texas Regional Airport (HDO), Hondo, Texas. The private pilot was not injured and the flight instructor sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from HDO about 1100.The flight instructor reported that he and the private pilot were conducting a flight review at the time of the accident. After completing some airwork, they returned to the departure airport to complete some takeoffs and landings. He noted that the first two landings resulted in a left turning tendency during the landing roll on the hard surface runway. For that reason, the instructor decided to complete the next landing, which he did as a three-point landing with "minimal directional control problems." The next landing was completed by the private pilot, which continued with a left turning tendency and resulted in an aborted landing. The final landing also resulted in an attempted aborted landing; however, a "severe left turn" developed resulting in a runway excursion, ground loop and landing gear collapse. The instructor added that the flight should have been terminated in order to investigate the left turning tendency. The airplane came to rest upright on the grass/dirt infield area adjacent to the runway. The outboard one-third of the right wing was deformed upward. The landing gear had collapsed. A postaccident examination of the landing gear did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure. However, the left main landing gear attachment bolt was not recovered, which precluded a complete examination of the landing gear assembly. The observed wind about the time of the accident ranged from variable to westerly at 4 to 5 knots. The pilot reported a southerly wind at 4 to 5 knots, with no gusts and no turbulence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83CN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83CN), registered now, S/N 24703, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 305C (0 1E) - Registry model: [Cessna 305C (0-1E)](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305c-0-1e) (registry code 2074014) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24703 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 4865 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470-11 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2012, 341 hours before - Departed: HDO, Hondo, TX - Destination: HDO, Hondo, TX - Airport: HDO, South Texas Regional, runway 17L, 6,002 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2006; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 940 total, 1 in this make and model, 869 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 79; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 20, 2012; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 102,200 total, 200 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.32 inHg - Observed at: HDO, 1 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 20131217024459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131217024459A), Dec 17, 2013: Cessna 305C (0-1E), Hondo, TX, Substantial damage. During the landing phase the aircraft swerved hard to the left and departed the runway. The aircraft skidded sideways for approximately 100 yards when the… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 29, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88562. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410018&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Flight Instructor Statement (item 2, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410019&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418321&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Weather Observation Data (item 4, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418322&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observation%20Data-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Wreckage at Accident Site (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 259 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418323&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage%20at%20Accident%20Site%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.