Summary
On June 11, 2017, a Cessna 180 (N71MH) was involved in an incident near Belmar, NJ. All 1 person 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 while landing in gusting wind conditions.
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing as the left main gear touched down, a wind gust veered the airplane "abruptly" to the left. He added that as the right gear touched down, the airplane "began skidding to the left", and the right main landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest on the left side of the runway, nose down.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation system on the accident airport reported, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot landed on runway 32.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA339. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N71MH.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing as the left main gear touched down, a wind gust veered the airplane "abruptly" to the left. He added that as the right gear touched down, the airplane "began skidding to the left", and the right main landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest on the left side of the runway, nose down.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation system on the accident airport reported, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot landed on runway 32.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA339