Loss of Control on Ground: Cessna 305A Bird Dog, N5073Y; accident occurred October 17, 2019 at New Braunfels Regional Airport (KBAZ), Guadalupe County, Texas

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N5073Y

Location: New Braunfels, TX
Accident Number: GAA20CA046
Date & Time: 10/17/2019, 1340 CDT
Registration: N5073Y
Aircraft: Cessna L19
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The pilot reported that, during landing, the main landing gear touched down, followed by the tailwheel, and the airplane veered left. He corrected with right rudder, but the airplane continued left, exited the runway, and ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and ground-loop.

Findings

Aircraft

Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues

Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing

Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial; Private
Age: 76, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider; Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Glider
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/17/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/22/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 9784 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3066 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N5073Y
Model/Series: L19 A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 21714
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/25/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2100 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 969.8 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-470-11B
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power:hp 
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KBAZ, 645 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1851 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 324°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.99 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Wharton, TX (ARM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: New Braunfels, TX (BAZ)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1238 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: New Braunfels Rgnl (BAZ)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 658 ft
Runway Surface Condition:Dry
Runway Used: 13
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6503 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 29.705833, -98.043333 (est)