Cessna 305A accident near Show Low, Arizona, September 23, 2015
On September 23, 2015 at about 5:30 pm local time, a 1951 Cessna 305A, registered N5207G, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Show Low, Arizona (Show Low Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in quartering tailwind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and a right main landing gear collapse.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 23, 2015 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Show Low, Arizona · Show Low Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 305A, built 1951 · all 305As on the register
- Registration
- N5207G · registry record · serial 21645
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he used a "standard crosswind technique" during the final approach, but just before touchdown the nose of the airplane shifted 25 degrees to the left of the runway centerline. After touchdown, the pilot attempted to correct with the rudder and ailerons, but the airplane veered to the left and exited the runway surface. During the runway excursion the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing impacted the terrain. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. METEROLOGICAL INFORMATION The pilot reported that there was a crosswind during the final approach, and the wind shifted to a quartering tailwind during the touchdown. About the time of the accident at the airport, an automated weather observing system reported the wind at 020 degrees true at 5 knots, which resulted in a quartering tailwind.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Other weather encounter during landing (landing roll)
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Ability to respond/compensate
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 9,100 hours in all; 570 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 8,500 as pilot in command; 350 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 26, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 532 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 38 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 381 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 25, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,653.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-11B (piston); 1,023 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GYR Goodyear AZ at 4:00 pm
- Destination: SOW Show Low AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 7,200 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from KSOW
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on November 17, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Docket Photo (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.