Cessna 305A N140R

Summary

On 18 September 2021 at about 18:00 local time, a Cessna 305A registered N140R was involved in an accident near Topeka, Kansas, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 September 2021 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Topeka, Kansas, United States

Nearest airport

Philip Billard Muni (TOP)

Coordinates

39.0671, -95.6170

Aircraft

Cessna 305A

Registration

N140R

Category

Airplane

Year built

1951

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fort Leavenworth → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN21LA448

Nobody was injured.

The loss of control and ground loop due to the mechanical malfunction of the tailwheel lock.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he conducted several takeoff and landings before the accident that day, at a different airport, all without incident. During the accident landing, the airplane touched down, veered left, and the pilot attempted to correct with right rudder. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway, the tail veered to the left, and the airplane “rocked” left. The left wing and left elevator impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage. The airplane came to rest upright on the main landing gear and the pilot was able to taxi the airplane to parking without further incident. A witness reported seeing the tailwheel rotating after takeoff. An examination revealed that the tailwheel locking mechanism did not function.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.