# NTSB ERA25LA036: Cessna 195A, N3083B, Bethel, PA, October 31, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 31, 2024, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Bethel, PA · On Airport - Coordinates: 40, -76 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0000&lon=-76.0000&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: 2 minor - 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): 195422 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195422/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195422 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA036 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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 195A, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073110), [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 195A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073110), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 195A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073110), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had just completed tailwheel/high performance training and had been signed off by the flight instructor. The pilot stated he wanted to go for another flight to fine-tune his flying skills, and the flight instructor went along with him. The pilot, who was acting as the pilot-in-command, said he made a successful tail wheel-landing, followed by a three-point landing. During the three-point landing, the airplane bounced and veered to the left. The pilot said he tried to correct to the right, but the airplane subsequently ground looped. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and the left wing. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3083B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3083B), registered now, S/N 7968, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 195A - Registry model: [Cessna 195A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-195a) (registry code 2073110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs L4 /R755-7](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-l4-r755-7) (registry code 35003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7968 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 3616 - Engines: Jacobs R755 B2 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 2024 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 8N1, Grimes, runway 11/29, 2,720 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 31, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 401 total, 24 in this make and model, 339 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 64; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 19, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 38,680 total, 990 in this make and model, 36,227 as pilot in command, 266 in the last 90 days, 87 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KZER, 14 nm away - METAR: METAR KZER 311355Z AUTO 25009KT 10SM CLR 20/09 A3020 ## 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 20241031018699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241031018699A), Oct 31, 2024: Cessna 195A, Bethel, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot was practicing landings at airport 8N1. Upon touchdown on runway 29, the aircraft bounced and deviated to the left side of the runway. The pilot… ## Other investigations on N3083B (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 CHI71DGD43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71DGD43), Jan 18, 1971: Cessna 195 (N3083B), Holgate, OH, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195422. 6.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17955015&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20FINAL%20A_redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 5 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17954824&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photos-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.