# NTSB NYC94LA091: Cessna 305A, N5234G, Franklin, VA, May 23, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 23, 1994, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Franklin, VA - Coordinates: 36.679141, -76.929725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6791&lon=-76.9297&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38760 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38760/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA091 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF AIRPLANE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING AS A RESULT OF A TIRE FAILURE, AND THE SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH SOFT TERRAIN. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,tire - failure,total (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (cause) ## Analysis THE APPROACH FOR LANDING ON THE GRASS AIRSTRIP WAS NORMAL. THE PILOT STATED: 'AT TOUCHDOWN...[I] FELT [A] WOBBLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE....[THE] AIRCRAFT SETTLED AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT, CONSISTENT WITH A BLOWN TIRE.' THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR IMPACTED SOFT TERRAIN AND SPUN THE AIRPLANE AROUND. AN FAA INSPECTOR FOUND THE RIGHT MAIN TIRE TUBE VALVE STEM SHEARED. ## Factual narrative On Monday, May 23, 1994, at 1230 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 305A, N5234G, registered to and piloted by George S. Parker, sustained substantial damage during a landing at the Grasso Airpark, Franklin, Virginia. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. During the landing on the grass runway, the pilot was unable to maintain directional control after touchdown, and the airplane veered to the right and impacted soft terrain. The fuselage was twisted during this collision. The pilot stated: At touchdown [the] aircraft bounced slightly. [I] felt wobble on the right side....Aircraft settled and veered to right, consistent with blown tire. Mr. Edward L. Hall, an Air Safety Inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration, examined the airplane. In his report, Mr. Hall stated: The [right] tire tube was found to have the valve stem sheared at the base attachment of the valve stem. The overall condition of the tire was good. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5234G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5234G), registered now, S/N 22404, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A - Registry model: [Cessna 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (registry code 2074002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22504 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-11 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George S. Parker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 8, 1993 - Departed: ORF, NORFOLK, VA - Airport: 62VA, Grasso Airpark, runway 27, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,800 total, 8 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 9 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19940523012289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940523012289A), May 23, 1994: Cessna 305A, Holland, VA, Substantial damage. Flat tire on landing. Veered off runway. Valve stem sheared at its base. ## Other investigations on N5234G (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 NYC85LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA090), Mar 24, 1985: Cessna L-19 (N5234G), Perkasie, PA, substantial damage 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.