Cessna 305C (0-1E) N62TX

Summary

On 17 June 2023 at about 21:30 local time, a Cessna 305C (0-1E) registered N62TX was involved in an accident near Big Bear City, California, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 June 2023 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Big Bear City, California, United States

Nearest airport

Big Bear City Airport (L35)

Coordinates

34.2638, -116.8560

Aircraft

Cessna 305C (0-1E)

Registration

N62TX

Category

Airplane

Year built

1963

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Santa Ana

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR23LA229

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during takeoff, the airplane yawed left, exited the runway, and ground looped. During the ground loop, the airplane’s right wing impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the tailwheel head bracket was broken in two places. Metallurgical examination of the fractured tailwheel head bracket revealed that the bracket flanges had separated due to overstress, likely because of the pilot’s loss of airplane control during takeoff and subsequent ground loop. The wind at the airport about the time of the accident was reported to be calm.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.