N2785K – CESSNA 180K – 2010-06-26 NTSB Accident Report

On June 26, 2010, a Cessna 180K (N2785K) was involved in an incident near Cahokia, IL. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The fatigue failure of the axle's attaching bolts during landing.

The pilot reported that he had a normal stabilized descent on approach and flared about 50 feet above the runway. He indicated he made a three-point touchdown. He said that during the roll the airplane tracked to the right and he applied left rudder. He stated that he heard a "bang" and the airplane moved abruptly and uncontrollably. The left wing and horizontal stabilizer sustained substantial damage when they contacted the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left wheel and axle separated from its main landing gear. Two of the four bolts that attach the axle to the gear exhibited a separation consistent with fatigue.

This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN10CA358. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2785K.