N6180

On August 1, 1999, about 1415 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180A airplane, N6180, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Gustavus Airport, Gustavus, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot, and the one passenger aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on August 2, the pilot reported that he had just landed on runway 28. He stated that the touchdown and the landing roll were uneventful, until the airplane's nose veered slightly to the right. He said he compensated by applying full left rudder, but the airplane suddenly ground looped to the right. During the ground loop the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing collided with the runway. The left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage.

Wind conditions at the time of the accident were reported to be from 190 degrees at 5 knots.