Casualties unknown

Runway Overshoot and Ground Loop During Landing (N731PS)

Covington, TN, US

On October 1, 1994, a Cessna 188 (registration N731PS) operated by Baker Flying Service was involved in an aviation accident near Covington, TN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot overshot the runway centerline, landing in adjacent grass. The airplane groundlooped, breaking the right main landing gear and dragging the wing.

Incident Overview

During the landing attempt, the pilot overshot the centerline of the prepared runway and touched down on the grass adjacent to the runway. As the airplane rolled through the grass, it entered a ground loop. The ground loop resulted in the separation of the right main landing gear and the wing being dragged along the ground.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that the rudder did not respond to his inputs intended to correct the overshoot. However, a subsequent inspection of the rudder control system revealed it was functional and operating correctly.

Post-Inspection Findings

Examination of the braking system showed that the brake pad was not excessively worn. The wheel brake line had been severed during the ground loop, but inspection found no evidence of pre-impact damage to the line. No other anomalies were identified in the landing gear or flight controls.

No Causal Determination

The investigation did not identify a specific component malfunction or pilot error as the cause of the event. The rudder system was found to be operational, and the brake components showed no pre-existing defects.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X02378. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.