On August 21, 1990, a Cessna 180H (registration N2790X) was involved in an aviation accident near San Carlos, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TAILWHEEL AIRCRAFT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported a ground loop after a landing flare in a Cessna 180H. The aircraft yawed right during flare; left rudder input did not correct before touchdown. The pilot had less than 30 hours in type and 50 hours total tailwheel time.
Incident Overview
According to the pilot, the aircraft was in a three-point landing flare attitude just above the runway when the nose began to yaw to the right. The pilot applied a left rudder input to correct the yaw, but the aircraft touched down before the rudder input corrected the yaw angle.
Loss of Control
After the main wheels touched the runway, the pilot reported losing control of the aircraft, which resulted in a ground loop.
Pilot Experience
Examination of the pilot's reported flight time revealed that he had less than 30 hours of time in the Cessna 180H aircraft, and less than 50 hours of total tailwheel flight experience.