LAX06CA218

Factual narrative

On June 27, 2006, about 1545 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna T206H, N562H, veered off the runway and ground looped during the landing roll at Santa Maria Public Airport, Santa Maria, California. California Flight Center, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and four passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight departed Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, Santa Barbara, California, about 1420, with a planned destination of Santa Maria. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written report. The descent into Santa Maria was uneventful. About 100 feet above ground level (agl), the pilot extended full flaps and aligned the airplane with the centerline of runway 30. On touchdown, the pilot retarded the throttle and noted an indicated airspeed of 60 knots. At this time, the airline transport pilot (ATP) passenger in the right seat retracted the flaps. When the pilot applied the brakes, the airplane turned sharply to the left. The pilot released the brakes and then lightly reapplied them. When the airplane began to turn back to the right, the pilot released the left rudder while continuing to apply right rudder and brake. The airplane continued moving toward the left side of the runway, so the pilot applied full right aileron and increased the throttle to about half power. As engine power increased, the pilot reported that the turn to the left continued to increase, causing the left wing to contact the ground. The nose of the airplane came down and the propeller blades contacted the ground. The pilot reduced the power, returning the airplane to a level attitude. The airplane came to a stop 30 to 40 feet left of the runway centerline at a heading of 320 degrees. The tower controller asked the pilot if he needed any assistance. The pilot determined that the engine was still running and a visual check verified that the wheels were not damaged. He then stated that he would taxi off the runway to the ramp. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane. He did not find any abnormalities with the brakes. The wheels rotated freely and there were no flat spots or other signs of trauma to the tires. The airplane veered off the runway and ground looped during landing. On touchdown, the pilot retarded the throttle and noted an indicated airspeed of 60 knots. At this time, the airline transport pilot (ATP) passenger in the right seat retracted the flaps. The pilot applied brakes and the airplane turned sharply to the left. The pilot released the brakes and then lightly reapplied them. The airplane continued moving to the left and the pilot said he applied full right aileron and increased power. The airplane turned and banked further to the left, causing the left wing to contact the ground. The nose of the airplane came down and the propeller blades contacted the ground. The pilot reduced the power, returning the airplane to a level attitude. The airplane came to rest 30 to 40 feet left of the runway centerline on a heading of 320 degrees. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane. He did not find any abnormalities with the brakes. The wheels rotated freely and there were no flat spots or other signs of trauma to the tires. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12