# NTSB ERA10CA257: Cessna 305A, N5312G, Fort Pierce, FL, May 6, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 6, 2010, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Fort Pierce, FL - Coordinates: 27.236389, -80.488052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2364&lon=-80.4881&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75965 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA257 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75965/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75965 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA257 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing. ## 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 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) - [Action: incomplete action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 105 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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 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-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was practicing touch and go landings with the tailwheeled airplane to runway 27. During his seventh landing, the "wind velocity increased and a crosswind developed." As the airplane touched down, it veered to the left and departed the grass runway. The pilot reduced engine power and attempted to regain control; however, the airplane’s left wing impacted a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane. A weather observation taken approximately at the time of the accident, 15 miles from the accident site, recorded the wind as 190 degrees at 14 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was practicing touch and go landings with the tailwheeled airplane to runway 27. During his seventh landing, the "wind velocity increased and a crosswind developed." As the airplane touched down, it veered to the left and departed the grass runway. The pilot reduced engine power and attempted to regain control; however, the airplane’s left wing impacted a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane. A weather observation taken approximately at the time of the accident, 15 miles from the accident site, recorded the wind as 190 degrees at 14 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5312G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5312G-2018-05-10), registration cancelled 2018-05-10, S/N 22746, 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: 22746 - Airframe hours: 5620 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 2009 - Departed: FL37, Fort Pierce, FL - Destination: FL37, Fort Pierce, FL - Airport: FL37, Treasure Coast Airpark, runway 27, 4,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 28, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 1,233 total, 55 in this make and model, 1,078 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 14 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KSUA, 15 nm away ## Other investigations on N5312G (4) 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 CEN16LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA064), Nov 24, 2015: Cessna 305A (N5312G), Sulphur, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to water and contaminants in the carburetor, which resulted in a forced landing to a wet field. - [NTSB ANC86LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA097), Jul 3, 1986: Cessna 305 (N5312G), Figure Eight Lk, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC84FA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84FA192), Sep 28, 1984: Cessna 305A (N5312G), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC73DAG76](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC73DAG76), Jan 23, 1973: Cessna 305A (N5312G), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 19, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75965. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 853 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330492&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330909&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330912&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Showing damage to top of fuselage (Courtesy of the pilot) (item 4, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330910&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Showing%20damage%20to%20top%20of%20fuselage%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20pilot)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Showing damage to left wing leading edge (Courtesy of the pilot) (item 5, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330911&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Showing%20damage%20to%20left%20wing%20leading%20edge%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20pilot)-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.