1989-09-02: Cessna 180K — James M. Leake — Englewood, CO

Casualties unknown • Englewood, CO, US

Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND SWERVE. THE CROSSWIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE COMMERCIAL PLT & A PSGR WERE MAKING A LOCAL FLT. THE PLT SAID HE PLANNED A TOUCH & GO LANDING ON RWY 17R WITH WINDS FROM 280 DEG AT 4 KTS. HE SAID THAT AT TOUCHDOWN, HE FELT A 'SHIMMY' FROM THE TAILWHEEL. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE SHIMMY BY RELAXING THE BACK PRESSURE ON THE CONTROL YOKE. HE THEN REAPPLIED THE BACK PRESSURE & LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE PLANE DEPARTED THE RWY TO THE RIGHT & GROUND LOOPED. THE LEFT WING, STABILIZER & ELEVATOR WERE DAMAGED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH THE TAILWHEEL ASSEMBLY.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-09-02 Cessna 180K accident near Englewood, CO?

THE COMMERCIAL PLT & A PSGR WERE MAKING A LOCAL FLT. THE PLT SAID HE PLANNED A TOUCH & GO LANDING ON RWY 17R WITH WINDS FROM 280 DEG AT 4 KTS. HE SAID THAT AT TOUCHDOWN, HE FELT A 'SHIMMY' FROM THE TAILWHEEL. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE SHIMMY BY RELAXING THE BACK PRESSURE ON THE CONTROL YOKE. HE THEN REAPPLIED THE BACK…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-09-02 involved a Cessna 180K, registration N2705K, operated by James M. Leake, at Englewood, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND SWERVE. THE CROSSWIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X29353. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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