# NTSB WPR13CA409: Cessna 195A, N4324N, Meadow Creek, MT, September 14, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 14, 2013, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Meadow Creek, MT - Coordinates: 47.842777, -113.25 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8428&lon=-113.2500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 4, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 88048 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA409 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88048/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88048 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA409 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll on a rough turf runway. ## 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 195A, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073110), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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 195A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073110), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 195A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2073110), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 195A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2073110), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 195A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073110), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 195A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073110), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on a rough turf runway the airplane bounced and swerved to the right. The pilot corrected for the swerve when the airplane bounced a second time and despite his inputs, the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The right wheel encountered a depression and collapsed; subsequently the right wing struck the ground and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on a rough turf runway the airplane bounced and swerved to the right. The pilot corrected for the swerve when the airplane bounced a second time and despite his inputs, the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The right wheel encountered a depression and collapsed; subsequently the right wing struck the ground and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4324N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4324N), registered now, S/N 7085, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 195A (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Cessna 195A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-195a) (registry code 2073110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs L4 /R755-7](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-l4-r755-7) (registry code 35003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7085 - Year built: 1948 - Airframe hours: 5139 - Engines: JACOBS L4 /R755-7 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 2013, 8 hours before - Departed: 0S1, Meadow Creek, MT - Destination: S27, Kalispell, MT - Airport: 0S1, Meadow Creek Usfs, runway 35, 2,830 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 16, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 455 total, 101 in this make and model, 387 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: GPI, 44 nm away ## 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 20130914018479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130914018479A), Sep 14, 2013: Cessna 195A, Big Fork, MT, Substantial damage. On September 14, 2013, at 1545 MST, a Cessna 195, N4324N, pilot lost control of aircraft on take off roll, departed runway, right hand landing gear collapsed… ## Other investigations on N4324N (2) 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 SEA79FTA06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FTA06), Dec 11, 1978: Cessna 195 (N4324N), Baker, MT, substantial damage - [NTSB OAK73FVG28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73FVG28), Oct 18, 1972: Cessna 195 (N4324N), Vacaville, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 9, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88048. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406922&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. --- 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.