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NTSB Report

May 16, 2013 · Cessna 195A · N4026A

San Carlos, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
San Carlos, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 195A
Tail Number
N4026A
Operator
James Grass
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR13CA232

The pilot reported that during the landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane, he executed a wheel landing, and continued to maintain directional control with the runway centerline. With the power at idle, the tail began losing lift and upon lowering the tail, the airplane began turning to the right. He applied left rudder, but found it ineffective so he also applied left brake to correct for the right turn. He was unable to bring the airplane back to the runway centerline, and felt that an aborted landing was no longer an option due to the direction the airplane was heading and the remaining runway length. He continued to apply left brake to the point where the tail began to lift, and tried to keep the airplane lined up to exit the runway at taxiway D. As the airplane entered the taxiway, the left main landing gear leg failed under side load. This resulted in the airplane’s left wing and fuselage contacting the runway surface as it came to rest with the airplane pointing about 45 degrees to the runway heading. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left side of the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane, he executed a wheel landing, and continued to maintain directional control with the runway centerline. With the power at idle, the tail began losing lift and upon lowering the tail, the airplane began turning to the right. He applied left rudder, but found it ineffective so he also applied left brake to correct for the right turn. He was unable to bring the airplane back to the runway centerline, and felt that an aborted landing was no longer an option due to the direction the airplane was heading and the remaining runway length. He continued to apply left brake to the point where the tail began to lift, and tried to keep the airplane lined up to exit the runway at taxiway Delta. As the airplane entered the taxiway, the left main landing gear leg failed under side load. This resulted in the airplane’s left wing and fuselage contacting the runway surface as it came to rest with the airplane pointing about 45 degrees to the runway heading. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left side of the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 PDT
Nearest AirportSan Carlos (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 195A
Tail NumberN4026A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJames Grass
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsJacobs · R755-A2 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 11 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 45 C
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time00:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data