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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 19, 1996 · Cessna 195A · N4478C

San Luis Obispo, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 19, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 195A
Tail Number
N4478C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX96LA309

The pilot stated that during the landing roll, the aircraft began to swerve to the right. When he applied corrective action, the airplane ground looped, and the left wing contacted the ground. The pilot, a certificated aircraft mechanic, said that the airplane did not experience any preimpact malfunction or failure.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop/swerve.

Full Narrative

On August 19, 1996, at 1138 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 195A, N4478C, dragged its wing while landing on runway 29 at San Luis Obispo Airport, San Luis Obispo, California. The pilot was completing a local visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, registered to and operated by a private individual, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at San Luis Obispo Airport at 1100. The pilot reported in a telephone interview conducted on August 19, 1996, that during the landing roll the airplane began to swerve to the right. When he applied the corrective action, the airplane ground looped and dragged the left wing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:38 PDT
Nearest AirportSan Luis Obispo (0nm)
Runway29
Runway Length4799 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 195A
Tail NumberN4478C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsJacobs · L4/R755-7 · Reciprocating · 245
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data