# NTSB NYC04CA114: Cessna 305 A, N2070E, Taunton, MA, April 30, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 30, 2004, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Taunton, MA
- Coordinates: 41.874168, -71.016387
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8742&lon=-71.0164&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59149
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59149/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA114

## Probable cause

The pilots inadequate pre-flight planning which resulted in a landing on soft terrain and subsequent nose over.   A factor was the soft terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

Upon touching down on a soft grass area adjacent to a runway, the landing gear sank into the ground and the airplane nosed over.  The pilot stated that he did not check the condition of the grass area prior to landing.

## Factual narrative

On April 30, 2004, about 1200 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 305A, N2070E, was substantially damaged while landing at the Taunton Municipal Airport (TAN), Taunton, Massachusetts.  The certificated private pilot received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR part 91.

The pilot was attempting to land on a grass area adjacent to runway 30, a 3500-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, asphalt runway.  In a written statement, the pilot stated that upon touchdown on the grass, the landing gear sank into the soft ground and the airplane nosed over.

Examination to the airplane revealed damage to the propeller and landing gear.

The pilot stated that he did not check the condition of the grass area prior to landing.

The pilot reported 3,050 hours of total flight experience, which included 450 hours in the same make and model of the accident airplane.

Winds reported at Taunton, at 1152, were from 210 degrees at 11 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2070E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 305 A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22817
- Airframe hours: 8575
- Engines: Continental O 470 11B 213 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert A. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 2003, 25 hours before
- Departed: 1B9, Mansfield, MA
- Destination: TAN, Taunton, MA
- Airport: TAN, Taunton Municipal Airport, runway 30, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 14, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 3,050 total, 450 in this make and model, 3,050 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observed at: TAN

## 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 20040430007189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040430007189A), Apr 30, 2004: Cessna 305A, Taunton, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot landed in grass between runway 30 and taxiway. Area used for landing is not an approved landing area and is an unprepared surface. Grass was soft…

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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