Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
failure of the pilot to maintain directional control, due to inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind and soft/wet terrain near the edge of the runway.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On June 8, 1996, at approximately 1808 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180, N2411C, sustained substantial damage in a gear collapse and subsequent nose-down after it departed the side of the runway while landing at Kalispell City Airport, Kalispell, Montana. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR 91 on a local flight from Kalispell City Airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. There was no report of an ELT activation.
According to the pilot, he had just returned to the airport after a flight in the local area and was trying to land in winds that were constantly changing direction. After touching down, the pilot found that he had to make strong rudder corrections to compensate for the changing winds. He was ultimately unable to maintain direction control of the tailwheel equipped aircraft, and exited the right side of the runway onto soft, wet terrain. Upon contacting the soft terrain, the left main gear collapsed and the aircraft nosed down into the dirt.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA96LA118