# NTSB WPR13LA112: Cessna 305A, N342FS, Camarillo, CA, February 2, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 2, 2013, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Camarillo, CA - Coordinates: 34.21389, -119.094444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2139&lon=-119.0944&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 August 25, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86126 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13LA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86126/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86126 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA112 ## Probable cause A tailwheel vibration upon touchdown and the subsequent loss of directional control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified; 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/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) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, following an uneventful flight, the three-point landing was normal in minimal wind. Immediately upon touchdown, the pilot felt an extreme tailwheel vibration, and the airplane abruptly made a sharp left turn. The airplane then veered off the runway, and the right main landing gear collapsed. Postaccident examination revealed that the right rudder control cables, which extend from the rudder pedals at both the front and rear seats to the rudder control horn, had separated from the rudder pedals. No evidence of preexisting defects, such as corrosion or fatigue, was found; the rudder cables likely fractured due to overstress during the accident sequence and did not cause the loss of directional control. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the tailwheel vibration on touchdown and the subsequent loss of control could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On February 2, 2013, about 1400 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 305A, N342FS, experienced a runway excursion at Camarillo Airport, Camarillo, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The commercial pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed Camarillo at 1300. Visual meteorological (VMC) conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.The pilot reported that the preflight detected no anomalies with the airplane. The departure and local area flight had been uneventful. The three-point landing was normal in minimal wind. Immediately upon touchdown, the pilot felt an extreme tail wheel vibration, and the airplane abruptly made a sharp left turn. The airplane veered off the runway, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing, right aileron, right landing gear box, horizontal stabilizer, and right elevator sustained substantial damage. The pilot noted that post flight inspection revealed that the right rudder cable had broken. Examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the rudder control cables for the front and back seats, which extend from the rudder pedals to the rudder control horn, had separated about 14 inches from the rudder pedals. This was in the vicinity of the collapsed right main gear attachment point. No observations were made that could account for the tail wheel vibration on touchdown. The National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory examined the rudder control cables. The specialist conducting the examination determined that both cable fractures were consistent with overstress; no evidence of preexisting defects, such as corrosion or fatigue, was found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N342FS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N342FS), registered now, S/N 21831 (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: 21831 - Airframe hours: 15442 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470-11B 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stanley Shaw - Registered owner: Aircraft Financial Group LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 2012 - Departed: CMA, Camarillo, CA - Destination: CMA, Camarillo, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: CMA, Camarillo, runway 26, 6,013 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 19, 2012; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 24,950 total, 3 in this make and model - Pilot-rated passenger; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 19, 2012; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 618 total, 1 in this make and model, 565 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KCMA ## 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 20130202001689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130202001689A), Feb 2, 2013: Cessna 305A, Camarillo, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft N342FS made an uncommanded left turn from cma runway 26 for reasons unknown. Side-loading to the right main landing gear leg caused the right main… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 15, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86126. 10.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 867 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429298&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Materials Laboratory Exam Results (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429299&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%20Exam%20Results-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 994 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429300&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 4, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429304&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Evidence Control - Rudder Cable (item 5, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429305&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20-%20Rudder%20Cable-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Accident Site (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429301&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Accident%20Site%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Splayed Cable (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429302&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Splayed%20Cable%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Splayed Cable Inside Airframe (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429303&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Splayed%20Cable%20Inside%20Airframe%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.