Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop/swerve.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that during the landing roll, the aircraft began to swerve to the right. When he applied corrective action, the airplane ground looped, and the left wing contacted the ground. The pilot, a certificated aircraft mechanic, said that the airplane did not experience any preimpact malfunction or failure.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 19, 1996, at 1138 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 195A, N4478C, dragged its wing while landing on runway 29 at San Luis Obispo Airport, San Luis Obispo, California. The pilot was completing a local visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, registered to and operated by a private individual, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at San Luis Obispo Airport at 1100. The pilot reported in a telephone interview conducted on August 19, 1996, that during the landing roll the airplane began to swerve to the right. When he applied the corrective action, the airplane ground looped and dragged the left wing. -