On November 5, 1991, a Cessna 195A (registration N195MD) operated by Russ T. & Tracey Alsobrook was involved in an aviation accident near Camarillo, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot lost directional control during landing as the aircraft swerved left then right. Unable to correct with rudder inputs, the pilot chose to ride out the ground loop rather than attempt a go-around.
What happened
According to the pilot's written statement, the aircraft began to swerve to the left immediately upon touchdown. The pilot applied corrective input to steer back to the right, but the aircraft subsequently started to swerve in that direction instead.
During the second swerve, the pilot reported that the aircraft became unresponsive to rudder inputs. Recognizing that the deviation from the runway centerline had progressed beyond the point where a go-around maneuver could be safely executed, the pilot elected to maintain control and ride out the ground loop until the aircraft came to a stop.
The investigation
The investigation relied primarily on the pilot's written statement regarding the sequence of events during the landing roll. No mechanical examination or physical evidence was cited in the provided source text.
Findings
Loss of directional control during the landing roll
Inability to correct aircraft heading using rudder inputs
Decision to continue the landing roll rather than attempt a go-around due to excessive deviation
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.