Cessna 195A N9855A accident near Laconia, New Hampshire

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, which resulted in a ground-loop.

NTSB analysis

In a written statement, the pilot said that he completed the final, 3-hour leg of a multi-leg cross-country flight and landed 1 hour after official sunset. The pilot described the landing as being a routine 3-point landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane in “perfect” weather conditions. He stated that, during the landing roll about 1,200 ft down the runway, the airplane “suddenly turned sharply to the right.” He applied full brakes but was unable to arrest the turn. The airplane departed the right side of the runway and came to rest with the left main landing gear folded beneath the fuselage, which was substantially damaged.

The pilot initially reported a ground loop event, and then later stated the accident resulted from locked wheel brakes on either the right or left side, or perhaps a sheared left main landing gear attachment bolt.

Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. A secondary examination of the left main landing gear attachment hardware revealed damage and fracture signatures consistent with overstress. The pilot did not have any recent night flying experience.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA318 for the full record.