# NTSB ERA24LA358: Cessna 305, N5673B, Sterling, MA, August 25, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 25, 2024, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Sterling, MA - Coordinates: 42.426347, -71.79401 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4263&lon=-71.7940&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195010 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA358 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195010/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195010 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA358 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop and subsequent landing gear collapse. Contributing was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/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: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was receiving instruction from a flight instructor in the tailwheel-equipped airplane to become a glider tow pilot. The pilot landed the airplane on the grass next to the paved runway, an area that included a paved taxiway that crossed over it. Upon reaching the taxiway the airplane bounced and swerved to the right. The pilot corrected with rudder application and braking, but the airplane continued its right turn and ground looped. During the ground loop the left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing impacted the ground, substantially damaging it. The flight instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor also reported that he could have been faster in taking control of the airplane after it initially began to turn, but had relaxed because they were in the roll out phase of the landing, and because the pilot had previously landed the airplane without issue. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5673B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5673B), registered now, S/N 51-7416, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 305 (A) - 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: 51-7416 - Year built: 1951 - Airframe hours: 8427.6 - Engines: Continental Motors O-470-11 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Greater Boston Soaring Club Inc - Registered owner: Greater Boston Soaring Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 2024, 131.9 hours before - Departed: FIT, Fitchburg, MA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 3B3, Sterling - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 369; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 9, 2023; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,094 total, 334 in this make and model, 1,754 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 19, 2023; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 350 total, 14 in this make and model, 247 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: FIT, 8 nm away - METAR: KFIT 252052Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM BKN100 26/17 A3019 RMK AO2 RAB06E30 SLP223 P0000 60000 T02610172 58009 ## 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 20240825017409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240825017409A), Aug 25, 2024: Cessna 305A, Sterling, MA, Substantial damage. On 25 August 2024, at 1915(z) the FAA received notice regarding an accident involving a Cessna 305 landed on runway and during landing roll out ground looped… ## Other investigations on N5673B (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 SEA74FTI11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74FTI11), Oct 15, 1973: Cessna 182 (N5673B), Bozeman, MT, destroyed ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195010. 7.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17587881&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot under instruction's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 319 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17588616&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20PG%209-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� email statement, pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17596618&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20no%20preimpact%20damage%20statement-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17587891&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.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.