GAA17CA486

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna L19 · Nashville, TN · August 13, 2017

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
August 13, 2017, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
Place
Nashville, TN
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N305EFCessna L19
Defining event
Landing: Loss of control on ground
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Night
Status
Completed · report March 27, 2018
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
General Aviation Accidents
Parties
FAA
FAA report
20170813024639A
Case key
95817

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

Findings · 4

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Use of equip/info: aircraft controlPersonnel issues › Task performance · PilotCessna L-19E: 6 casesAll aircraft: 9,295 casesProbable cause
Performance/control parameters: directional controlAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedCessna L-19E: 7 casesAll aircraft: 3,958 casesProbable cause
Performance/control parameters: landing flareAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedCessna L-19E: 2 casesAll aircraft: 1,285 casesProbable cause
Wind: crosswindEnvironmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operationCessna L-19E: 2 casesAll aircraft: 1,008 cases

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing in crosswind conditions, he initiated the flare high. Subsequently, the airplane bounced and veered to the left. He added that, as the airplane was slowing down, it ground looped to the left, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located at the airport reported that, about 10 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 340° at 7 knots. The same weather observation station reported that, about 10 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 320° at 6 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 2. After multiple requests, the pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, in crosswind conditions, he initiated the flare high. Subsequently the airplane bounced and veered to the left. He added that as the airplane was slowing down it ground looped to the left, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located at the airport reported that, about 10 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 340° at 7 knots. The same weather observation station reported that, about 10 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 320° at 6 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 2. After multiple requests, the pilot failed to submit the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.

Aircraft

Registration
N305EF
Reported as
Cessna L19 (E)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
24576
Engine
reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Destination
JWN · Nashville, TN
Flight plan
Unknown
Airport
JWN · John C Tune, runway 02, 6,001 × 100 ft, asphalt
Equipment
Unknown

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
75
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
BasicMed, With waivers/limitations

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Night
Wind
300° at 7 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
84 °F, dew point 68 °F
Altimeter
29.95 inHg
Observed at
KJWN

Docket · 3

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 1, 2018, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 748 KB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.