# NTSB WPR09CA443: Cessna 305A, N119WW, Helena, MT, September 11, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 11, 2009, 08:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Helena, MT
- Coordinates: 46.606945, -111.98278
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6069&lon=-111.9828&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: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Helena FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA443
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74728/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74728
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA443

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare and recovery from a bounced landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Light condition: bright light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [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, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [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, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During the landing flare, the pilot misjudged his height above the runway, resulting in a higher-than-normal flare and a harder-than-normal touchdown. Immediately after the airplane made contact with the runway, it began to veer from side to side, and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control. According to the pilot, there were no issues with the rudder or the tailwheel steering systems, but he did feel that the glare from bright sun that he was landing toward had contributed to his abnormal flare height.

## Factual narrative

During the landing flare, the pilot misjudged his height above the runway, resulting in a higher than normal flare, and a harder than normal touchdown. Immediately after the airplane made contact with the runway, it began to veer from side to side, and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control. According to the pilot, there were no issues with the rudder or the tail wheel steering systems, but he did feel that the glare from bright sun that he was landing toward had contributed to his abnormal flare height.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N119WW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N119WW), registered now, S/N 22481, 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: 22481
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Davis Bob F
- Registered owner: Davis Bob F
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KHLN, Helena, MT
- Destination: KHLN, Helena, MT
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: KHLN, Helena Regional, runway 09, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 28, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 3,332 total, 200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- 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 20090911016629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090911016629A), Sep 11, 2009: Cessna 305A, Helena, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 11, 2009, at 0810 MDT, Cessna 305A bird dog, N119WW, registere to and piloted by [privacy data omitted] ground looped after landing on…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 28, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74728. 435 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 435 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319261&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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