N1008DCessna 195A · 1950

On May 22, 2019, about 0915 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 195 airplane, N1008D, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Socorro, New Mexico. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that, when he approached the airport, the wind was calm. The tailwheel-equipped airplane touched down onto runway 33 fast and bounced. When the airplane settled back onto the runway, it started to veer to the right. He applied left rudder and brakes; the left brake went all the way down and the airplane exited the right side of the runway. The airplane ground looped and the left main landing gear separated. The pilot reported that, when he exited the airplane, he noticed that the wind had increased.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any anomalies with the braking system; however, due to the separation of the left main landing gear, the system could not be operationally tested.

Review of recorded weather observations at the accident airport indicated calm wind conditions until 0855, when wind was reported from 180º at 3 knots. At 0915, wind had increased to 9 knots from the same direction. Based on the 2-minute average, the reported wind indicated a 3-knot crosswind and 8-knot tailwind for landing on runway 33.