# NTSB GAA17CA071: Cessna 120, N120MD, Lincoln, CA, November 14, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 14, 2016, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Lincoln, CA - Coordinates: 38.914722, -121.353614 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9147&lon=-121.3536&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 April 10, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94390 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94390/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94390 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA071 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## 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) ## 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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right. He added that he attempted to correct the veer but was unsuccessful. The airplane continued to the right and exited the runway. During the runway excursion, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right forward lift strut and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll the airplane veered to the right. He added that he attempted to correct the veer, but was unsuccessful. The airplane continued to the right and exited the runway. During the runway excursion, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right forward lift strut and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N120MD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N120MD-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 10770, 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: 10770 - Year built: 1946 - Engines: Continental C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LHM, Lincoln, CA - Destination: LHM, Lincoln, CA - Airport: LHM, Lincoln Rgnl/Karl Harder Field, runway 15, 6,001 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 6, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 420 total, 13 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 0.5 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KLHM ## 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 20161114018539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161114018539A), Nov 14, 2016: Cessna 120, Lincoln, CA, Substantial damage. On 11/14/16 N120MD was pratcing landings at klhm. On the second landing the plane turned to the right and headed towards the edge of the runway. The plane went… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 29, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94390. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 907 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450427&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 411 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450429&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.