Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 305A near Camarillo, CA — 2013-02-02

Final reportWPR13LA112
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Date
2013-02-02
Location
Camarillo, CA, USA
Airport
CMA
Aircraft
CESSNA 305A
Registration
N342FS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

A tailwheel vibration upon touchdown and the subsequent loss of directional control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, following an uneventful flight, the three-point landing was normal in minimal wind. Immediately upon touchdown, the pilot felt an extreme tailwheel vibration, and the airplane abruptly made a sharp left turn. The airplane then veered off the runway, and the right main landing gear collapsed. Postaccident examination revealed that the right rudder control cables, which extend from the rudder pedals at both the front and rear seats to the rudder control horn, had separated from the rudder pedals. No evidence of preexisting defects, such as corrosion or fatigue, was found; the rudder cables likely fractured due to overstress during the accident sequence and did not cause the loss of directional control. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the tailwheel vibration on touchdown and the subsequent loss of control could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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