# NTSB GAA18CA134: Cessna T303, N303TL, Great Barrington, MA, February 4, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 4, 2018, 16:55 local (21:55 UTC) - Place: Great Barrington, MA - Coordinates: 42.184444, -73.406669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1844&lon=-73.4067&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96715 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96715/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96715 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA134 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to see the taxiway when returning to the ramp from the snow-covered runway, which resulted in the airplane rolling down an embankment. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T303, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073820), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T303, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2073820), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna T303, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2073820), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T303, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073820), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while taxiing onto the snow-covered runway for departure, he was unable to see the runway markings. He added that he decided to cancel the flight and return to the ramp, but the airplane exited the runway and went down an embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while taxiing onto the snow-covered runway for departure, he was unable to see the runway markings. He added that he decided to cancel the flight and return to the ramp, but when the airplane exited the runway, it went down an embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N303TL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N303TL-2022-12-31), registration cancelled 2022-12-31, S/N T30300286, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T303 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Cessna T303](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t303) (registry code 2073820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T30300286 - Year built: 1984 - Airframe hours: 2650 - Engines: CONT MOTOR LTSIO-520-AE3 250 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR TSIO-520-AE3B 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pegasus Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Pegasus Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 2017 - Departed: FRG, FARMINGDALE, NY - Destination: GBR, Great Barrington, MA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: GBR, Walter J Koladza, runway 11, 2,579 × 50 ft, snow - Equipment: Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 5, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,427 total, 223 in this make and model, 1,205 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 4 knots - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KPSF, 15 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 20180204007359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180204007359A), Feb 4, 2018: Cessna T303, Great Barringto, MA, Substantial damage. On February 4, 2018, aircraft N303TL, a Cessna aircraft, model T303, serial number T30300826, was involved in an incident at Walter J. Koladza Airport (kgbr)… ## Other investigations on N303TL (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA19FA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA249), Aug 17, 2019: Cessna T303 (N303TL), Lagrangeville, NY, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power in both engines during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 18, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96715. 5.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462014&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462015&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.