# NTSB NYC85LA144: Cessna 305A, N5288G, Toughkenamon, PA, June 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1985, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Toughkenamon, PA
- Coordinates: 39.829822, -75.750473 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8298&lon=-75.7505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35889/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA144

## 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 - roll
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED DURING A LANDING ROLL ON A SOD RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, IT FELT AS IF THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR CONTACTED A KNOLL OF GRASS RESULTING IN THE ACFT GROUND LOOPING TO THE RIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5288G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21515
- Airframe hours: 6371
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-11B 635 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Janet I. Churchill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1985, 3 hours before
- Departed: MIDDLETOWN, DE
- Destination: TOUGHKENAMON, PA
- Airport: New Garden

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 55,563 total, 108 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 226° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 18 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19850602026879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850602026879A), Jun 2, 1985: Cessna 305A, Toughkenamon, PA, Substantial damage. Ground looped after 3 point landing. Right wheel contacted an object and directional control was lost.

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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