# NTSB CHI03LA222: Cessna 195, N355ST, Racine, WI, July 19, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 19, 2003, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Racine, WI - Coordinates: 42.760555, -87.815277 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7606&lon=-87.8153&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57625 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA222 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57625/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA222 ## Probable cause The failure of the left main landing gear axle resulting in the brake being locked and subsequent loss of directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,normal brake system - locked (cause) - landing gear,axle - failure,total (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) ## Analysis The aircraft was substantially damaged during landing when it departed the runway surface. The pilot reported the left brake locked during landing causing the aircraft to drift to the left of the runway centerline. He stated that as the aircraft returned to the runway centerline the left wheel began to vibrate and the left axle failed. He reported the aircraft veered off the right side of the runway and ground looped 180 degrees before coming to rest. A post-accident examination determined the left axle had failed. The axle showed no evidence of corrosion or pitting. The brake rotor showed no discoloration. Since the brake line was separated between the wheel and the strut, the integrity of the brake system at the time of the accident could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 2003, at 1730 central daylight time, a Cessna 195, N355ST, piloted by private pilot, was substantially damaged when it departed the runway surface during landing rollout on runway 14 (4,423 feet x 100 feet, asphalt) at the John H. Batten Airport (RAC), Racine, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed RAC at 1700. The pilot's written statement reported that upon touchdown the left brake locked, causing the airplane to drift to the left. He stated that "hard right rudder" was applied in an attempt return to the runway centerline. According to the pilot, "as the aircraft was brought to the center of the runway the left wheel began to vibrate." He noted that as he felt the left brake release, the wheel began to "excessively camber and subsequently the left axle failed." As the left axle failed, the aircraft veered off the right side of the runway. According to the pilot, the left landing gear strut subsequently "knifed" into the grass adjacent to the runway and the aircraft ground looped 180 degrees before coming to rest. A post accident examination determined the left axle had failed causing the left wheel assembly to separate from the strut. The axle showed no evidence of corrosion or pitting. The brake rotor showed no discoloration. Since the brake line was separated between the wheel and the strut, the integrity of the brake system at the time of the accident could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N355ST](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N355ST), registered now, S/N 7285, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 195 - Registry model: [Cessna 195](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-195) (registry code 2073102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs R755A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755a-series) (registry code 35006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7285 - Airframe hours: 4113 - Engines: Jacobs R-755-B2 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 2003, 11 hours before - Departed: RAC, Racine, WI - Airport: RAC, John H Batten, runway 14, 4,423 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 51 in this make and model, 173 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: RAC ## 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 20030719018809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030719018809A), Jul 19, 2003: Cessna 195, Racine, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) On landing on runway 14 at Racine, WI, pilot stated the left brake stuck causing loss of control and the aircraft ground looped. The pilot stated he had… ## Other investigations on N355ST (1) 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 CHI05CA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA157), Jun 28, 2005: Cessna 195 (N355ST), Peru, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot not maintaining directional control during the landing and the ground loop he encountered. 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.