Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 120 near Davis, CA — 2016-09-18

Final reportGAA16LA525
Sign in to save
Date
2016-09-18
Location
Davis, CA, USA
Airport
DWA
Aircraft
CESSNA 120
Registration
N76284
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and noseover. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the seatbelt anchor bracket.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane "began suddenly swerving" and would not respond to opposite rudder inputs. The airplane veered off the runway into a freshly-plowed field where it nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. The pilot further reported that, during the noseover, the center seatbelt anchor bracket failed, which resulted in both occupants falling out of their seats once the airplane became inverted. About 2 years before the accident, in response to a similar accident, the manufacturer issued a service bulletin that called for inspection of the center seat belt bracket to ensure that the latest type (steel) bracket was installed. The service bulletin had not been completed on the accident airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Mechanic's failure to inspect or replace the aluminum safety belt bracket per service bulletin.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

Related mishaps