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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 4, 1996 · Cessna A185F · N2431Y

Casa Grande, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Casa Grande, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna A185F
Tail Number
N2431Y
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX96LA307

The student pilot lost directional control and inadvertently ground looped the airplane after practicing touch-and-go landings and takeoffs. The student received dual instruction in the airplane about 2 months before the accident, but he did not receive the appropriate endorsement to solo the accident airplane. Postaccident examination disclosed no evidence of any preexisting malfunction or failure. The student pilot reported that the surface winds were slightly breezy.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. Factors relating to the accident were: the student pilot's inadequate training and lack of certification (endorsement).

Full Narrative

On August 4, 1996, at 0630 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna A185F, N2431Y, lost directional control during the landing rollout on runway 05 at Casa Grande Airport, Casa Grande, Arizona. The pilot was completing a visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, operated by Southwest Industrial Rigging, Casa Grande, sustained substantial damage. The noncertificated student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at the University of Arizona airstrip, Maricopa, Arizona, at 0620. This accident was initially reported as an incident. During the repair, maintenance personnel found major structural damage. The pilot told an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office that he initially departed Chandler, Arizona, airport about 0545 hours, and flew to the University of Arizona airstrip and executed six touch-and-go landings and takeoffs. He then flew to Casa Grande Airport. He said that he inadvertently "ground looped" the airplane on the landing roll and that the surface winds were "slightly breezy." The FAA inspector reported that the student pilot did not have the appropriate solo endorsement for the accident airplane. The inspector stated, however, that conversations with the student pilot's previous instructors confirmed that he received some dual instruction in the accident airplane about 2 months prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:30 MST
Nearest AirportCasa Grande Municipal (0nm)
Runway5
Runway Length5200 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A185F
Tail NumberN2431Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520 · Reciprocating · 280
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data