# NTSB GAA18CA209: Cessna Ector 305A, N1832, South Lake Tahoe, CA, April 9, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 9, 2018, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: South Lake Tahoe, CA - Coordinates: 38.89389, -119.995277 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8939&lon=-119.9953&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 October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97014 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA209 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97014/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97014 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA209 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna Ector 305A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073902), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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 Ector 305A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073902), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 Ector 305A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073902), [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 Ector 305A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073902), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the flight instructor in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, the pilot receiving instruction was on the flight controls during the landing roll. Near the end of the roll, the tail began to swerve, and the airplane ground looped to the right. The airplane exited the right side of the runway, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing spar and aileron. The pilots reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the flight instructor in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, the pilot receiving instruction was on the flight controls during the landing roll. Near the end of the roll the tail began to swerve, and the airplane ground looped to the right. The airplane exited the right side of the runway and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing spar and aileron. The pilots reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1832](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1832-2025-02-22), registration cancelled 2025-02-22, S/N 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA ECTOR 305A (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Cessna Ector 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-ector-305a) (registry code 2073902) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2004 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 9262.2 - Engines: Continental O-470 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2017 - Departed: TVL, South Lake Tahoe, CA - Destination: TVL, South Lake Tahoe, CA - Airport: TVL, Lake Tahoe, runway 18, 8,541 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 64; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 6, 2018; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 8,074.8 total, 62 in this make and model, 7,936.1 as pilot in command, 34.9 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 27, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 435.1 total, 32 in this make and model, 279.6 as pilot in command, 52.2 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KTVL ## 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 20180409003419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180409003419A), Apr 9, 2018: Cessna Ector 305A, South Lake Taho, CA, Substantial damage. This was an instructional flight with the owner of the aircraft in the front pilot's seat. On their 6th landing the aircraft experienced a ground loop to the… ## Other investigations on N1832 (2) 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 WPR20CA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA296), Sep 3, 2020: Cessna Ector 305A (N1832), Amboy, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during a precautionary landing which resulted in a ground loop. - [NTSB LAX93LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA018), Oct 24, 1992: Cessna 305A (N1832), Prescott, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT NOT MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLL RESULTING IN A GROUND LOOP SWERVE. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97014. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466092&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 329 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466093&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.