Cessna 305 N72BD accident near Eagle Lake, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing in variable wind conditions.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was in the rear seat during the personal flight, and the airplane owner was in the front seat. The pilot made an approach to runway 17. He reported that, just before the landing gear touched down, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the right. The airplane's nose turned to the right, and the airplane touched down on the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane exited the right side of the runway. The airplane owner then took control of the airplane, which subsequently struck a runway light and then ground looped to the left.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and the upper left side of the fuselage just aft of the cabin.

The pilot reported that the wind was from 210° at 8 knots.

The nearest METAR located 25 miles northeast of the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 6 knots and variable between 230° and 290°. The skies were clear with 9 statute miles of visibility.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot noted that the accident could have been prevented if he had carried more airspeed during the landing to combat the wind conditions.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA460 for the full record.