# NTSB WPR26LA135: Cessna 195, N9368A, Big Bear, CA, March 20, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 20, 2026, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Big Bear, CA - Coordinates: 34.2638, -116.856 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2638&lon=-116.8560&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 17, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO Riverside, FAA - Riverside FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 202685 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202685/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202685 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA135 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a quartering tailwind. ## 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 195, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073102), [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 195, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073102), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 195, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2073102), [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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 195, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2073102), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 195, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 195, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2073102), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 195, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073102), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported he was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane at a familiar airport, which he described as often having unpredictable, variable winds. As he approached, automated radio weather reports indicated calm winds for the planned landing runway, and he heard another pilot on the radio indicating he had just landed on the same runway. On final approach, the pilot noticed the windsock indicated he was landing with a significant tailwind, and that the airplane’s ground speed was faster than anticipated. He elected to continue the landing; after touching down a gust picked up the right wing, which the pilot compensated for using right aileron control input. The airplane abruptly exited the right side of the runway and crossed an unpaved area to the parallel taxiway where it ground looped, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preimpact malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing on Runway 08. An automated weather report 15 minutes prior to the accident indicated a right quartering tailwind from 210° at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9368A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9368A), registered now, S/N 7447, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 195 (UNDESIGNATED SERIES) - Registry model: [Cessna 195](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-195) (registry code 2073102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs R755A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755a-series) (registry code 35006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7447 - Year built: 1949 - Airframe hours: 5774 - Engines: Jacobs R755-S 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 2025, 30.1 hours before - Departed: KSEE, El Cajon, CA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: L35, Big Bear City, runway 08/26, 5,850 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 10, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,136 total, 54 in this make and model, 6,136 as pilot in command, 8.6 in the last 90 days, 3.5 in the last 30 days, 2.1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.36 inHg - Observed at: KL35 - METAR: METAR KL35 202115Z AUTO 21008KT 184V244 10SM CLR 25/M06 A3036 RMK AO2= ## 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 20260320003009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260320003009A), Mar 20, 2026: Cessna 195, Big Bear City, CA, Substantial damage. Facts: on March 30, 2026, the pilot of Cessna C-195, [privacy data omitted], departed gillespie field (ksee) for Big Bear City Airport (L35). Based on verbal… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202685. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20253180&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB_Form_6120_1_Signed_Flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - WPR26LA135 investigation photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 602 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20218116&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA135%20Investigation%20Photos-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.