# NTSB LAX96LA309: Cessna 195A, N4478C, San Luis Obispo, CA, August 19, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1996, 11:38 local (18:38 UTC)
- Place: San Luis Obispo, CA
- Coordinates: 35.249874, -120.620895 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2499&lon=-120.6209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29538
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA309
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29538/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA309

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop/swerve.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot stated that during the landing roll, the aircraft began to swerve to the right. When he applied corrective action, the airplane ground looped, and the left wing contacted the ground. The pilot, a certificated aircraft mechanic, said that the airplane did not experience any preimpact malfunction or failure.

## Factual narrative

On August 19, 1996, at 1138 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 195A, N4478C, dragged its wing while landing on runway 29 at San Luis Obispo Airport, San Luis Obispo, California.  The pilot was completing a local visual flight rules personal flight.  The airplane, registered to and operated by a private individual, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at San Luis Obispo Airport at 1100.

The pilot reported in a telephone interview conducted on August 19, 1996, that during the landing roll the airplane began to swerve to the right.  When he applied the corrective action, the airplane ground looped and dragged the left wing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4478C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 195A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16062
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: Jacobs L4/R755-7 245 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marjorie S. Young
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1995, 10 hours before
- Departed: SBP
- Airport: SBP, San Luis Obispo, runway 29, 4,799 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,900 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F

## 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 19960819029799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960819029799A), Aug 19, 1996: Cessna 195A, San Luis Obispo, CA, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot stated that during the landing roll, the aircraft began to swerve to the right. When he applied corrective action, the airplane ground looped,…

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.

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