# NTSB ERA10CA231: Cessna 340A, N1952E, Grove City, PA, February 27, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 27, 2010, 11:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Grove City, PA - Coordinates: 41.14611, -80.167778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1461&lon=-80.1678&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75766 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75766/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75766 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA231 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after electing to land on a snow-covered runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 340A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot overflew the airport and noted what he believed to be a light coating of snow on the runway. After landing, the pilot realized that approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches of snow was present on the surface of the runway and the airplane then began to slide to the right. It subsequently departed the right side of the runway, struck a snow bank, and spun 180 degrees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its horizontal stabilizer. The airport was unattended at the time of the accident and there were no notices to airmen pertaining to the condition of the runway. The pilot reported that winds at the time of the accident were from 260 degrees at 10 to 15 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot overflew the airport and noted what he believed to be a light coating of snow on runway 10-28, a 4,500-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, asphalt runway. After landing on runway 28, the pilot realized that approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches of snow was present on the surface of the runway. The airplane began to slide to the right. It subsequently departed the right side of the runway, struck a snow bank, and spun 180 degrees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its horizontal stabilizer. The airport was unattended at the time of the accident and there were no notices to airmen pertaining to the condition of the runway. The pilot reported about 1,210 hours of total flight experience, which included 21 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. He also reported that winds at the time of the accident were from 260 degrees at 10 to 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1952E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1952E-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 340A0679, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A - Registry model: [Cessna 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340a) (registry code 2076405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 340A0679 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: WPG Fasteners Inc. - Registered owner: WPG Fasteners Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2009 - Departed: 29D, New Cumberland, PA - Destination: 29D, Grove City, PA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 29D, Grove City, runway 28, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 26, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,209 total, 21 in this make and model, 930 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 13 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 1 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: YNG, 24 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 20100227039999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100227039999A), Feb 27, 2010: Cessna 340A, Grove City, PA, Substantial damage. I contacted [privacy data omitted] to confirm that he was the pilot in command OFN1952E that was involved in the aircraft accident at the Grove City Airport… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 10, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75766. 566 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (item 1, .PDF, 469 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328946&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%2F2-Redacted.PDF - Interview Memorandum (item 2, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328947&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Memorandum-Master.PDF - Weather Observations (item 3, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329003&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations-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.