# NTSB GAA17CA346: Cessna 305C (0 1E), N305CM, Rexberg, ID, June 12, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 12, 2017, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Rexberg, ID - Coordinates: 43.833889, -111.805 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8339&lon=-111.8050&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 November 14, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95389 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA346 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95389/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95389 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA346 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting wind conditions. ## 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 305C (0-1E), 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2074014), [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 305C (0-1E), 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2074014), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305C (0-1E), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2074014), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305C (0-1E), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2074014), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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 305C (0-1E), 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2074014), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 305C (0-1E), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2074014), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 305C (0-1E), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2074014), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he attempted a crosswind landing to the asphalt surface of runway 35. He had about 300 hours of total tailwheel flight time, and he had 5 hours of flight time in the accident airplane. This was the pilot's first flight as the pilot-in-command. He recalled that the Automated Surface Observing System reported that the wind was from 050° at 5 knots, gusting to 21 knots. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the right, and the tail lifted. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane, and the airplane faced southeast when another wind gust lifted the left wing, and the right wing struck the ground. The wind gust subsided, and the airplane came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, the right aileron, and the elevator. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had received more instruction from a Federal Aviation Administration certificated flight instructor in the accident airplane that was specific to crosswind landings. "But more important, I should have flown the airplane to an airport with a runway that was more in line with the wind." 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 in the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he attempted a crosswind landing to the asphalt surface of runway 35. He had about 300 hours of total tailwheel flight time and he had 5 hours of flight time in the accident airplane. This was the pilot's first flight as the pilot in command. He recalled that the Automated Surface Observing System reported that the wind was from 050° at 5 kts. gusting to 21 kts. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered a gust of wind from the right and the tail ascended. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane and airplane faced southeast when another gust of wind lifted the left wing and the right wing struck the ground. The wind gust subsided and the airplane came to rest upright but it sustained substantial damage to the right wing, the right aileron and the elevator. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented, if he had received more instruction from a Federal Aviation Administration Certificated Flight Instructor in the accident airplane that was specific to crosswind landings. "But more important, I should have flown the airplane to an airport with a runway that was more in line with the wind." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N305CM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N305CM), registered now, S/N 24558, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 305C (0 1E) (E) - Registry model: [Cessna 305C (0-1E)](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305c-0-1e) (registry code 2074014) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24558 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 3511.4 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-11 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Legacy Flight Museum - Registered owner: Legacy Flight Museum - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 2016 - Departed: RXE, Rexberg, ID - Destination: RXE, Rexberg, ID - Airport: RXE, Rexburg-Madison County, runway 35, 4,204 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 17, 2017; seat: front; flight hours: 1,822 total, 5 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: KRXE ## 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 20170612008269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170612008269A), Jun 12, 2017: Cessna 305C (0-1E), Rexburg, ID, Substantial damage. N305CM, was approaching runway 35, at Rexburg id. The winds were being called by the ASOS as 050@15 gusting to 21. The touchdown was normal, the tail came… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 12, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95389. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456951&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456954&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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.