# NTSB WPR26LA028: Cessna 305, N4584N, Phoenix, AZ, October 18, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 18, 2025, 14:14 local (21:14 UTC) - Place: Phoenix, AZ - Coordinates: 33.688306, -112.08255 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6883&lon=-112.0825&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 201901 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201901/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201901 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA028 ## Probable cause A worn tailwheel steering mechanism, which resulted in a locked tailwheel and a ground loop during a landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna L-19E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=2074016), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna L-19E, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2074016), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna L-19E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=2074016), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna L-19E, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2074016), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Cessna L-19E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=2074016), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot taxied the tailwheel airplane to the departure end of the runway, made a tight left turn to reverse direction on the runway for take-off, then applied hard-right tailwheel input to stop the turn and straighten the airplane. Once airborne, he realized the airplane yawed significantly to the right and the right rudder pedal seemed to be stuck. This condition required continuous full-left rudder control input to maintain coordinated flight. Upon reaching the destination airport, he communicated with the local air traffic controller and requested the largest runway out of concern the tailwheel might be stuck in an offset position and create a loss of directional control during landing. After touchdown the airplane ground looped to the left, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing, horizontal stabilizer, and tail cone. After exiting the airplane, he observed the steering arm was stuck in the full-right position. Photos taken by the pilot immediately after the accident showed both tailwheel steering springs/chains were under tension, and the tailwheel was offset to the left. With the assistance of others, the pilot picked up the airplane’s tail and kicked the steering arm loose, after which he was able to taxi the airplane to its hangar. The pilot shipped the tailwheel assembly to the NTSB, where an examination of the components was conducted. The overall condition of the assembly was consistent with a worn tailwheel locking/steering mechanism with an increased likelihood of unreliable lock engagement/disengagement and accelerated wear. The tailwheel assembly was replaced at an unknown date and the maintenance records did not contain any maintenance history of the tailwheel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4584N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4584N), registered now, S/N 24565 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 305 (C) - Registry model: [Cessna L-19E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-l-19e) (registry code 2074016) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24565 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 6442 - Engines: Continental O-470-15 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Leading Edge LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 24, 2024 - Departed: 88AZ, Roosevelt, AZ - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: DVT, Phoenix Deer Valley, runway 07R, 8,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 20, 2024; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,300 total, 100 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KDVT, 1 nm away - METAR: METAR KDVT 182053Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 26/04 A3000 RMK AO2 SLP142 T02610039 58023 $ ## 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 20251018015189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251018015189A), Oct 18, 2025: Cessna L-19E, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. On 10/18/2025 [privacy data omitted]Cessna L-19E was departing grapevine 88AZ in-route to kdvt, pilot noticed he was giving full left rudder to stay in trim on… ## Other investigations on N4584N (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 GAA19CA549](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA549), Sep 15, 2019: Cessna L19 (N4584N), Kennett, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to install the engine oil filler cap before the first flight of the day; his subsequent failure to conduct a preflight check before the accident flight, which resulted in his… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201901. 8.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20215896&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Final-Signed-6120-1-pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 9 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20216532&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation-Photos-WPR26LA028-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20216346&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20ROC%20WPR26LA028_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Tailwheel assembly examination report and photographs (item 4, PDF, 13 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20215906&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tailwheel%20Assembly%20Exam%20Report%20WPR26LA028-Rel.pdf - Abi 3200/3224A tailwheel assembly installation instructions (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 341 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20216806&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ABI-Standard-3200-Series-Installation-Instructions-Flattened-Highlighted-Rel.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.