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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 9, 1997 · Cessna 305A (L-19) · N542EZ

Aspen, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Aspen, CO
Aircraft
Cessna 305A (L-19)
Tail Number
N542EZ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW97LA306

During a touch-and-go landing roll, the aircraft veered to the right. The pilot said he applied left rudder, then the aircraft to veer to the left. He then applied right rudder and brake, which had little effect on directional control. Subsequently, the aircraft slide sideways, and the right main landing gear collapsed. Wind at the time was from 360 degrees at 4 knots. The pilot reported he had 1 hour of experience in the aircraft.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of the pilot to maintain direction control of the aircraft during landing roll, which resulted in a ground swerve and subsequent collapse of the right main landing gear. A related factor was the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of aircraft.

Full Narrative

On August 9, 1997, at 0848 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 305A (L-19), N542EZ, sustained substantial damage when one main landing gear collapsed during landing roll at Aspen, Colorado. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local area personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, he was on his fourth touch-and-go landing and following touch down, the aircraft veered to the right. He said that left rudder input veered the aircraft left and right rudder and brake had little effect on directional control. The aircraft slid sideways and the right main landing gear collapsed causing damage to the right wing, elevator, and propeller. Recorded wind at the Aspen Airport at the time of the accident was from 360 degrees magnetic at 4 knots. There were no recorded gusts. According to information supplied by the pilot on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he had 1 hour experience in this make and model aircraft. Examination of the aircraft by a mechanic, at the facility where the aircraft was taken for repairs, provided no evidence of a preaccident failure or malfunction.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:48 MDT
Nearest AirportASPEN (0nm)
Runway15
Runway Length7004 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 305A (L-19)
Tail NumberN542EZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-11B · Reciprocating · 280
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 28 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 4 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data