# NTSB ERA13LA343: Cessna 175, N9388B, Willimantic, CT, July 27, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 27, 2013, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Willimantic, CT - Coordinates: 41.739723, -72.173889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7397&lon=-72.1739&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87622 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA343 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87622/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87622 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA343 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop. ## 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 175, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072502), [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 175, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 175, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072502), [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 175, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane on a paved runway. During the landing roll, a ground witness heard a “shimmy” when the tailwheel made contact with the paved surface. The airplane departed the right side of the runway into grass, where it ground-looped. Postaccident examination revealed that the tailwheel’s left side mounting bolts were found stripped, and the tailwheel was canted to the right; however, there were no wear signatures on the tire to indicate that it had contacted the runway in a canted position. Based on the available information, it is most likely that the tailwheel mounting bolts were damaged during the accident sequence as a result of side-loading forces that occurred when the pilot failed to maintain directional control during the landing. ## Factual narrative On July 27, 2013, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 175, N9388B, was substantially damaged during a runway excursion after landing at Windham Airport (IJD), Willimantic, Connecticut. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from Salmon River Airfield (9B8), Marlborough, Connecticut about 1000. According to the pilot, the airplane’s tailwheel experienced a mechanical failure; however, no further comment was provided. According to an eyewitness, the landing “looked normal.” When the tailwheel made contact with the runway surface, he heard it “shimmy” and then watched the airplane depart the runway into the grass as a “classic ground loop.” The eyewitness further reported that the pilot attempted to taxi the airplane to the parking ramp after the runway excursion, until the pilot was signaled to stop by the eyewitness. The witness further reported that the tail of the airplane was placed in the back of his truck and the airplane was towed to the ramp. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing, elevator, and tailwheel. The left wing was crumpled on the outboard approximate 4 feet, the left elevator was crumpled, and the vertical stabilizer rear spar was cracked. The left side tailwheel mounting bolt was stripped and the wheel was angled to the right. Photographic documentation revealed that the tailwheel had little or no tread remaining, with the majority of the remaining tread on the outer rim of the wheel. Photographs provided by the FAA inspector did not show any abnormal wear on either sidewall of the tire that would be indicative of the tailwheel being angled to the right during touchdown. The main landing gear was inspected and no damage was observed. However, the pilot had disassembled the airplane, transported the airplane to his private residence, and began repairs prior to the inspector’s arrival on scene. Photographs provided by the FAA inspector revealed skid marks on the runway similar to those of a free-castering wheel as well as skid marks from the right main landing gear. The skid marks continued off the right side of the runway. However, since the airplane was removed from the location prior to any documentation, the skid marks could not be positively correlated to the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9388B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9388B), registered now, S/N 55188, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 175 - Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 55188 - Airframe hours: 402 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 2012 - Departed: 9B8, Marlborough, CT - Destination: IJD, Willimantic, CT - Airport: IJD, Windham Airport, runway 18, 2,799 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 7, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 1,350 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 1,225 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: IJD, 1 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 20130727012749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130727012749A), Jul 27, 2013: Cessna 175, North Windham, CT, Substantial damage. The airplane landed on runway 18 with light winds. Upon landing the tail wheel began to shutter as it touched the asphalt runway. The airplane entered a right… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 26, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87622. 15.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 302 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397898&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397897&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Willimantic Weather (item 3, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397731&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Willimantic%20Weather-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Left Wingtip Post Recovery (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398007&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Left%20Wingtip%20Post%20Recovery%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Left Side of Tailwheel Mount Spring (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398008&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Left%20Side%20of%20Tailwheel%20Mount%20Spring%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3: Tailwheel As Found (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398009&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Tailwheel%20As%20Found%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-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.