Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A ground-loop resulting from the pilot's inadequate remedial action while attempting to correct for an inadvertent loss of directional control during the landing roll. Factors include the loss of directional control and attempting to land with a tailwind.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 15, 1998, approximately 1100 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180, N9115C, ground-looped during the landing roll at Bowman Field, Anaconda, Montana. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which was owned by the pilot's son, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR personal proficiency flight, which was being conducted in the traffic pattern at Bowman Field, had been operating in visual meteorological conditions for about 30 minutes prior to the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation.
According to the pilot, he had completed a number of successful stop-and-go landings prior to the landing during which the accident occurred. While attempting the last landing, during which there was a 6 to 10 knot tailwind, the aircraft started drifting toward the right edge of the runway. The pilot was unable to correct the ground track before the aircraft departed the runway, ground-looped and impacted the terrain.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA98LA167