Cessna 120 N76284 accident near Davis, California

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 analysis

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.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16LA525 for the full record.