# NTSB GAA15CA100: Cessna 305, N16708, Richfield, UT, May 27, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2015, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Richfield, UT - Coordinates: 38.73611, -112.10028 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7361&lon=-112.1003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 27, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91288 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91288/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91288 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA100 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop. ## 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 Ector 305A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073902), [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 Ector 305A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073902), [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-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna Ector 305A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2073902), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Cessna Ector 305A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=2073902), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna Ector 305A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073902), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that while landing, the airspeed was too high and the airplane bounced after making contact with the runway. The airplane came down on the runway 20 degrees right of runway heading and the pilot corrected by applying the left brake. The right main landing gear wheel separated from the gear leg and the airplane veered left into a ground loop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that while landing, the airspeed was too high and the airplane bounced after making contact with the runway. The airplane came down on the runway 20 degrees right of runway heading and the pilot corrected by applying the left brake. The right main landing gear wheel separated from the gear leg and the airplane veered left into a ground loop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16708](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N16708), registered now, S/N 2016, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 305 (A) - Registry model: [Cessna Ector 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-ector-305a) (registry code 2073902) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2016 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 2468 - Engines: Continental O470-15 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 2015 - Departed: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO - Destination: RIF, Richfield, UT - Airport: RIF, Richfield Muni, runway 19, 7,100 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review August 16, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,742 total, 722 in this make and model, 3,672 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KMLF, 47 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 20150527007759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150527007759A), May 27, 2015: Cessna Ector 305A, Richfield, UT, Substantial damage. The pilot purchased the airplane in Ohio and was transporting it back to California. On may 27, 2015 the pilot departed fort collins co, fnl, enroute to… ## Other investigations on N16708 (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 OAK73DVW23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73DVW23), Jun 9, 1973: Cessna 305A (N16708), Las Vegas, NV, no damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91288. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428884&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Ring Wing (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428885&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Ring%20Wing%20(Courtesy%20of%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.