Cessna 195A N9325A accident near Hannibal, Missouri

Probable cause

The pilot's inability to maintain control during landing due to seized main landing gear wheels, which caused the airplane to nose over.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he departed from a grass airstrip in wet conditions. He said that the short 15 minute flight was uneventful. However, upon landing, both main wheels on the tailwheel-equipped airplane would not turn. Full aft elevator control was not sufficient to maintain control and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical and horizontal stabilizers. He reported that the brakes were firm when checked on final approach. He added that immediately after the accident the main wheels could not be rotated. Although approximately 45 minutes later, they were free to rotate. He said noted that the temperature was about 35 degrees Fahrenheit. He recalled thinking that water which accumulated on the brakes during takeoff may have frozen during the flight.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA203 for the full record.