Probable cause
The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff roll upon encountering a wind gust.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, on takeoff roll, just after the tail came up, the airplane encountered a right quartering tailwind gust, which forced the airplane off the left side of the runway. The pilot subsequently corrected back to the right, and the airplane crossed the runway, a gully, and a taxiway. He then intentionally applied right brake and ground looped the airplane to avoid colliding with a hangar, which resulted in the collapse of both main landing gears. A postcrash fire erupted shortly thereafter, which consumed the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA196 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 5, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Heber-Overgaard, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Overgaard Airport (AZ82)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 195
- N-number
- N3442V
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.