# NTSB SEA05LA094: Cessna 120, N77377, Elk River, ID, May 5, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 5, 2005, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Elk River, ID - Coordinates: 46.789722, -116.17028 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7897&lon=-116.1703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61419 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61419/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA094 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. An inadvertent ground loop was a factor. ## 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 - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing on runway 17. During the landing roll, he failed to maintain directional control and the aircraft ground looped. The propeller as well as the left wing contacted the surface, damaging the wing tip and outboard section of the aileron. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident. The winds were reported as calm. ## Factual narrative On May 5, 2005, about 0800 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 120, N77377, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, ground looped during the landing roll at Elk River, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from Lewiston, Idaho, about one hour prior to the accident. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he was landing on runway 17. During the landing roll, he failed to maintain directional control and the aircraft ground looped. The propeller as well as the left wing contacted the surface, damaging the wing tip and outboard section of the aileron. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that the weather was clear and the winds were calm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N77377](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77377-2013-06-24), registration cancelled 2013-06-24, S/N 11818, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 120 - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11818 - Airframe hours: 5258 - Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James R. Kopczynski - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2004, 40 hours before - Departed: LWS, Lewiston, ID - Destination: Elk River, ID - Airport: Elk River, runway 17, 2,500 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review February 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 335 total, 210 in this make and model, 263 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °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 20050505007919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050505007919A), May 5, 2005: Cessna 120, Elk River, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] departed lewiston Idaho at 7:04 a.m. enroute to Elk River Idaho. Upon touch down at Elk River he lost directional… ## Other investigations on N77377 (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 UNK64X1557](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1557), May 2, 1964: Cessna 120 (N77377), Nenana, AK, 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.