# NTSB SEA96LA210: Cessna 120, N2595N, Nampa, ID, September 4, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1996, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Nampa, ID
- Coordinates: 43.600944, -116.610656 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6009&lon=-116.6107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42460
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42460/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA210

## Probable cause

the solo student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop/swerve.

## 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 - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

The student pilot, the sole occupant, was practicing landings in a tail-wheel equipped airplane. During one of the landings, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway into rough terrain and was substantially damaged. No preimpact mechanical malfunction was reported by the pilot, nor was any found during the investigation. The student pilot had accumulated a total of 48 hours of flying time in the Cessna 120. Calm wind conditions were reported at the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative

On September 4, 1996, about 0745 mountain daylight time, N2595N, a Cessna 120, operated by the Nampa Taildraggers Flying Club, Nampa, Idaho, groundlooped during landing in Nampa and was substantially damaged.  The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.  The local instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91.

According to an eyewitness (statement attached):  "[The] aircraft touched down and started porpoising.  It looked like he was about to get the aircraft under control, but then it turned left and groundlooped off the left side of the runway."

According to an FAA aviation safety inspector from Boise, Idaho, the student pilot lost directional control during landing, swerved off the runway, and collided with rough terrain.   No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot or the inspector.  The student pilot had accumulated a total of 48 hours of flying time in the Cessna 120.  Calm wind conditions were reported at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2595N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2595N), registered now, S/N 12855, built 1947 (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: 12855
- Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nampa Taildraggers Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: S67
- Airport: S67, Nampa Municipal, runway 11, 4,050 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 48 total, 48 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19960904026419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960904026419A), Sep 4, 1996: Cessna 120, Nampa, ID, Substantial damage. Aircraft ground looped on landing and flipped over.

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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