Summary
On April 28, 2013, a Cessna 180 (N180VW) was involved in an incident near Bethel, ME. 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 pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
According to the pilot, he applied left aileron to his tailwheel-equipped airplane on the final approach leg to counteract a left crosswind. The crosswind then ceased, at which point the pilot backed off the aileron input. As the airplane was touching down, it encountered another crosswind and the pilot again applied left aileron to counteract it; however, the left wing and left main landing gear became airborne and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The pilot then “rode” the right brake and the airplane continued to the right until the left wing came down and the left main landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA13CA216. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N180VW.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot, he applied left aileron to his tailwheel-equipped airplane on the final approach leg to counteract a left crosswind. The crosswind then ceased, at which point the pilot backed off the aileron input. As the airplane was touching down, it encountered another crosswind and the pilot again applied left aileron to counteract it; however, the left wing and left main landing gear became airborne and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The pilot then “rode” the right brake and the airplane continued to the right until the left wing came down and the left main landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. Winds, recorded at a nearby airport about the time of the accident, were variable at 5 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA13CA216