# NTSB GAA15CA118: Cessna 195, N9818A, Lancaster, NY, June 4, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 4, 2015, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, NY - Coordinates: 42.921943, -78.613052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9219&lon=-78.6131&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 July 27, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Rochester FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 91351 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91351/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91351 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA118 ## Probable cause A loss of directional control and subsequent ground loop due to an underinflated right tire, which was a result of foreign object debris puncturing the tire. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 195, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=2073102), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/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 195, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073102), [All aircraft, 3,971 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: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Cessna 195, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2073102), [All aircraft, 996 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 195, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073102), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 195, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073102), [All aircraft, 3,659 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 195, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073102), [All aircraft, 10,153 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, an annual inspection was completed on the airplane the day prior to this flight, so he planned to remain in the traffic pattern. During the first landing after touchdown, the pilot reported that the airplane began drifting to the right. He attempted to correct with the left rudder and brake, but once the tailwheel touched down the airplane quickly veered to the right, departed the runway, and ground looped. After the ground loop, the airplane stopped and the pilot shutdown the airplane without further incident. During a post-flight examination, the pilot stated that the right main tire was one half to three quarters underinflated. After further inspection, the pilot identified a small metal object that resembled a finishing nail in the right main tire and within one hour of the accident, the tire was completely flat. The pilot reported that both tires and associated pressures were checked and verified according to the airplane maintenance manual prior to flight. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations, with the exception of the right main tire. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left side of the fuselage. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, an annual inspection was completed on the airplane the day prior to this flight, so he planned to remain in the traffic pattern. During the first landing after touchdown, the pilot reported that the airplane began drifting to the right. He attempted to correct with the left rudder and brake, but once the tailwheel touched down the airplane quickly veered to the right, departed the runway, and ground looped. After the ground loop, the airplane stopped and the pilot shutdown the airplane without further incident. During a post-flight examination, the pilot stated that the right main tire was one half to three quarters underinflated. After further inspection, the pilot identified a small metal object that resembled a finishing nail in the right main tire and within one hour of the accident, the tire was completely flat. The pilot reported that both tires and associated pressures were checked and verified according to the airplane maintenance manual prior to flight. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations, with the exception of the right main tire. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left side of the fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9818A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9818A-2018-06-04), registration cancelled 2018-06-04, S/N 7497, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 195 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Cessna 195](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-195) (registry code 2073102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs R755A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755a-series) (registry code 35006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31421 - Year built: 1950 - Airframe hours: 2939 - Engines: Jacobs R755-A2 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tesco Inc. - Registered owner: Tesco Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2015 - Departed: BQR, Lancaster, NY - Destination: BQR, Lancaster, NY - Airport: BQR, Buffalo-Lancaster Rgnl, runway 26, 3,199 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 15, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,500.4 total, 267 in this make and model, 1,471 as pilot in command, 5.5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KBUF, 5 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 20150604010819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150604010819A), Jun 4, 2015: Cessna 195, Lancaster, NY, Substantial damage. On June 4, 2015, at approximately 1600 eastern daylight time, a Cessna C-195 aircraft, N9818A s/n 7497, landed and subsequently ground looped on runway 26 at… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 10, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91351. 2.2 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=40428986&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Left Side Fuselage (Courtesy of Operator) (item 3, .PDF, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428988&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Left%20Side%20Fuselage%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Punctured Right Tire (Courtesy of Operator) (item 4, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428989&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Punctured%20Right%20Tire%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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.