Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CEN15LA250

Pine Bluffs, WY, USA

Aircraft #1

N1965J

CESSNA T188C

Analysis

The pilot reported that the wind was light and variable during the landing approach. Upon touchdown and the pilot's application of forward elevator control, the airplane veered sharply right. The pilot made "full aerodynamic controls" inputs and applied the left brake, but the airplane did not stop veering right. The airplane subsequently departed the right side of the runway and struck a small berm, which bent the left main landing gear aft. The airplane slid to a stop, crushing the engine cowling and wrinkling both wings. The only skid marks found on the runway after the accident were made by the left tire. When the airplane was raised by a lift, the right tire assembly spun freely. The right brake drum was found to be deeply grooved, but there was no indication that the right wheel had seized. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

On May 27, 2015, about 0700 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T188C, N1965J, departed the right side of the runway 08 after landing at Pine Bluffs Municipal Airport (82V), Pine Bluffs, Wyoming. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by Circle S Aviation, LLC, Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from 82V about 0540. The pilot said the winds were light and variable as he made his landing approach. Upon touch down and upon application of forward elevator control, the airplane veered sharply to the right. Full aerodynamic control inputs and the application of left brake did not stop the veer. The airplane departed the right side of the runway and struck a small berm. The left main landing gear was bent aft, and the airplane slid to a stop, crushing the engine cowling and wrinkling both wings. The pilot's verbal statement given to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and his written statement contained in this accident report were similar. An FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported that the only skid marks on the runway were from the left tire. When the aircraft was raised by a lift, the right tire assembly spun freely. The right brake drum was found to be deeply grooved, but there was no indication the right wheel had seized. The reason for the runway departure could not be determined.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's loss of directional control to the right for reasons that could not be determined during examination of the right main landing gear wheel and brake drum.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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