# NTSB GAA16CA412: Cessna 120, N72580, Belen, NM, August 3, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 3, 2016, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Belen, NM - Coordinates: 34.650833, -106.826942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6508&lon=-106.8269&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 September 22, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93753 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA412 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93753/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93753 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA412 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and 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 120, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071402), [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 120, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 120, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/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 120, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071402), [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 120, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The tailwheel endorsed pilot reported that he was practicing stop and go landing's in a make and model tailwheel-equipped airplane that he had never flown before. During the fourth stop and go, the pilot reported that during the landing roll at 35 miles per hour the airplane began to turn to the right and he attempted to correct. Subsequently, the airplane continued to the right, departed the runway, and ground looped. During the ground loop, the left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing was substantially damaged after the impact with terrain. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The tailwheel endorsed pilot reported that he was practicing stop and go landing's in a make and model tailwheel-equipped airplane that he had never flown before. During the fourth stop and go, the pilot reported that during the landing roll at 35 miles per hour the airplane began to turn to the right and he attempted to correct. Subsequently, the airplane continued to the right, departed the runway, and ground looped. During the ground loop, the left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing was substantially damaged after the impact with terrain. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N72580](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72580-2020-01-06), registration cancelled 2020-01-06, S/N 9750, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 120 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 9750 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 4352.8 - Engines: Continental O-200A 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 2016 - Departed: E98, LOS LUNAS, NM - Destination: E80, BELEN, NM - Airport: E80, Alexander Muni, runway 21, 6,601 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 25, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 13,000 total, 1 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: E80 ## 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 20160803012769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160803012769A), Aug 3, 2016: Cessna 120, Belen, NM, Substantial damage. On August 3, 2016, at 0745 MDT, a Cessna 120, N72580, ground looped on landing at Alexander Municipal Airport (E80), Belen, new Mexico, while on a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 12, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93753. 2.0 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=40444352&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 182 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444353&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.