# NTSB CHI07CA031: Cessna 120, N1915N, Perryville, MO, November 23, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 23, 2006, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Perryville, MO - Coordinates: 37.86861, -89.861946 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8686&lon=-89.8619&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 65049 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65049/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA031 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing which resulted in an overload of the tailwheel attachment structure in the fuselage. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - runway - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - fuselage,attachment - overload (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged during landing. The pilot reported that upon landing the airplane veered to the left and he was unable to correct with rudder input. He reported that the airplane was heading toward the side of the runway and he applied right brake in an attempt to keep the airplane from going off of the runway. He reported that the left main wheel went off of the runway but the right main wheel did not exit the paved surface. The airplane came to rest near the runway centerline. The pilot reported that he had performed 2 landings prior to the accident landing with no discrepancies noted. Examination of the airplane subsequent to the accident revealed that the rear fuselage where the tailwheel mounted was damaged. ## Factual narrative The airplane was substantially damaged during landing. The pilot reported that upon landing the airplane veered to the left and he was unable to correct with rudder input. He reported that the airplane was heading toward the side of the runway and he applied right brake in an attempt to keep the airplane from going off of the runway. He reported that the left main wheel went off of the runway but the right main wheel did not exit the paved surface. The airplane came to rest near the runway centerline. The pilot reported that he had performed 2 landings prior to the accident landing with no discrepancies noted. Examination of the airplane subsequent to the accident revealed that the fuselage where the tailwheel mounted was damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1915N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1915N-2017-09-28), registration cancelled 2017-09-28, S/N 12159, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 120 - 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: 12159 - Engines: Continental C85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aeronca Champ Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: H49, COLUMBIA, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review February 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 390 total, 53 in this make and model, 301 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20061123029149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061123029149A), Nov 23, 2006: Cessna 120, Perryville, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) According to flight service that upon landing at K02 (Perryville Municipal Airport, Perryville, MO), the winds were variable at 5 knots. The pilot stated… ## Other investigations on N1915N (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 CEN17LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA145), Mar 19, 2017: Cessna 120 (N1915N), Columbia, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. 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.