# NTSB CEN21LA448: Cessna 305A, N140R, Topeka, KS, September 18, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 18, 2021, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Topeka, KS · Runway 31 at TOP. - Coordinates: 39.067103, -95.616981 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0671&lon=-95.6170&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Wichita FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103952 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA448 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103952/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103952 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA448 ## Probable cause The loss of control and ground loop due to the mechanical malfunction of the tailwheel lock. ## 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 305A, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 305A, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he conducted several takeoff and landings before the accident that day, at a different airport, all without incident. During the accident landing, the airplane touched down, veered left, and the pilot attempted to correct with right rudder. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway, the tail veered to the left, and the airplane “rocked” left. The left wing and left elevator impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage. The airplane came to rest upright on the main landing gear and the pilot was able to taxi the airplane to parking without further incident. A witness reported seeing the tailwheel rotating after takeoff. An examination revealed that the tailwheel locking mechanism did not function. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N140R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N140R), registered now, S/N 22834, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A - Registry model: [Cessna 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (registry code 2074002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22834 - Year built: 1951 - Engines: Continental Motors O-470 Series 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FLV, Fort Leavenworth, KS - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: TOP, Philip Billard Muni, runway 13/31, 5,099 × 100 ft, concrete - Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 3, 2020; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,400 total, 5 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KTOP, 1 nm away - METAR: KTOP 181753Z 20003KT 10SM CLR 29/20 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP198 T02940200 10300 20172 58012 ## 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 20210918017099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210918017099A), Sep 18, 2021: Cessna 305A, Topeka, KS, Substantial damage. Upon landing N140R started a left turn (ground loop) causing it to exit the runway into a drainage ditch coming to rest on the left wing. Substantial damage… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 4, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103952. 17.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 9.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12785749&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12785497&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Additional statements (item 3, PDF, 6 pages, 341 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12785672&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Additional%20Statements%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - Additional documents (item 4, PDF, 11 pages, 6.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12894769&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Additional%20Documents%20Redacted-Rel.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.