# NTSB SEA04LA061: Cessna 305A, N5210G, Bozeman, MT, March 31, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 2004, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Bozeman, MT - Coordinates: 45.669101, -111.140113 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6691&lon=-111.1401&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Helena FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58982 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58982/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA061 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in the tail wheel-equipped aircraft, leading to an inadvertent ground-loop, during which the aircraft's wing impacted the ground. ## 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) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The flare, touchdown, and initial part of the landing roll in the tail wheel equipped aircraft were normal and uneventful. But as the aircraft slowed, it suddenly swerved to the left, and the pilot's attempts to realign it with the runway were not successful. The aircraft therefore exited the left side of the runway and entered a ground loop. During the ground loop sequence, the right main gear leg partially folded under, and the right wing collided with the terrain. A post accident inspection of the aircraft's braking system, rudder system, and tail wheel did not reveal any evidence of a malfunction or anomaly that would have contributed to a loss of directional control. ## Factual narrative On Wednesday, March 31, 2004, approximately 0945 mountain standard time, a Cessna 305A (L-19), N5210G, impacted the terrain during an inadvertent landing roll ground-loop at Bozeman Municipal Airport, Bozeman, Montana. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by a family member of the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Helena, Montana, about 45 minutes earlier, was in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed. There was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, the flare, touchdown, and initial part of the landing roll in the tail wheel-equipped aircraft were normal and uneventful. But as the aircraft slowed, it suddenly swerved to the left, and the pilot's attempts to realign it with the runway were not successful. The aircraft therefore exited the left side of the runway and entered a ground loop. During the ground loop sequence, the right main gear leg partially folded under, and the right wing collided with the terrain. A post accident inspection of the aircraft's braking system, rudder system, and tail wheel did not reveal any evidence of a malfunction or anomaly that would have contributed to a loss of directional control. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5210G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5210G), registered now, S/N 22186, built 1951 (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: 22186 - Airframe hours: 11347 - Engines: Continental O-470-15 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eugene Graf III - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 2003, 6 hours before - Departed: HLN, Helena, MT - Destination: BZN, Bozeman, MT - Airport: BZN, Gallatin Field, runway 30, 9,003 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 4, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 264 total, 125 in this make and model, 169 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °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 20040331004459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040331004459A), Mar 31, 2004: Cessna 305A, Bozeman, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot performed a 3-point landing and was on roll out when the aircraft yawed left uncontrollably and tipped onto right wing. Strong, gusty winds. ## Other investigations on N5210G (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 MKC73FTG10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73FTG10), Apr 4, 1973: Cessna 305A (N5210G), Bismarck, SD, 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.