# NTSB DEN93LA059: Cessna 305A, N5225G, Fort Collins, CO, May 15, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1993, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Collins, CO
- Coordinates: 40.65055, -105.030197 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6506&lon=-105.0302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18288
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18288/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA059

## Probable cause

AN EXCESSIVE RATE OF DESCENT RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - distorted
  - landing gear,main gear - bent
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

DURING FINAL APPROACH AND TOUCHDOWN FOR A FULL STOP LANDING, WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT APPEARED TO BE UNDER MARGINAL CONTROL AND TOUCHDOWN WAS HARD ON THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR. FOLLOWING INITIAL TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED TO THE RIGHT THEN ARCED TO THE LEFT AND DEPARTED THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY COMING TO REST IN A DITCH. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT BRAKE FADED AND HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  WITNESS MARKS PROVIDED EVIDENCE OF SKIDDING OF THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR FROM SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED THE DITCH AND EXAMINATION PROVIDED EVIDENCE OF TOUCHDOWN DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE AIRCRAFT TO TURN TO THE LEFT. BRAKE SYSTEM TESTS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5225G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21898
- Airframe hours: 5700
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-15 213 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Banner Advertising, Inc.
- Registered owner: Banner Advertising, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1992, 54 hours before
- Departed: FLYING B RANCH, CO
- Airport: 3V5, Downtwown Ft. Collins, runway 11, 4,700 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,427 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 49 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FNL, 10 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 19930515013869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930515013869A), May 15, 1993: Cessna 305A, Fort Collins, CO, Substantial damage. Swerved off runway on landing roll. Approach erratic. Landed on right main reported brake out. Tire marks visible.

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.

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