# NTSB WPR09CA035: Cessna 305A, N5263G, El Cajon, CA, November 10, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 10, 2008, 11:38 local (19:38 UTC) - Place: El Cajon, CA - Coordinates: 32.82611, -116.972503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8261&lon=-116.9725&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 24, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69424 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69424/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA035 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 321 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had been cleared to land on runway 27R, and the winds were reported as calm. The pilot stated that during the landing flare the airplane ballooned up, but he was able to keep the airplane pointed down the runway. Upon touchdown, the airplane veered left. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation, but the airplane ground looped before he could stop it. The damage to the airplane consisted of substantial damage to the right wing, and right elevator. Upon exiting the airplane, the pilot observed that the winds were from 045 degrees at 5 knots. The pilot opined that the quartering tail wind resulted in his loss of control. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he had been cleared to land on runway 27R, and the winds were reported as calm. He noted that at 1,600 feet agl he encountered some turbulence. The pilot stated that during the landing flare the airplane ballooned up, but he was able to keep the airplane pointed down the runway. Upon touchdown, the airplane veered left. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation, but the airplane ground looped before he could stop it. The damage to the airplane consisted of substantial damage to the right wing, and right elevator. Upon exiting the airplane, the pilot observed that the winds were from 045 degrees at 5 knots. The pilot opined that the quartering tail wind resulted in his loss of control. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5263G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5263G), registered now, S/N 22346, 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: 22346 - Airframe hours: 11006 - Engines: Continental O-470-11 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 2008, 12 hours before - Departed: LSV, Las Vegas, NV - Destination: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SEE, Gillespie Field Airport, runway 27R, 5,342 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: single; flight hours: 1,550 total, 470 in this make and model, 1,550 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: SEE ## 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 20081110851979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081110851979A), Nov 10, 2008: Cessna 305A, San Diego/El C, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) During the flair to land aircraft ballooned, landing attitude was re-established but on touching down directional control was lost resulting in a ground… ## Other investigations on N5263G (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 SEA80DYE11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80DYE11), Jan 26, 1980: Cessna 305A (N5263G), Auburn, WA, 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.