1995-06-04: Cessna 180 — Clear Lake, MN

Casualties unknown • Clear Lake, MN, US

Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. The proximity of trees to the runway was a related factor.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE 'PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT UPON APPLICATION OF POWER' AND IMPACTED EVERGREEN TREES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT DURING THE OCCURRENCE, THE AIRPLANE SLID SIDEWAYS TO THE RIGHT. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SAID THE RIGHT WING CAME UP ABRUPTLY, THEN CAME DOWN HARD AND HIT A TREE. SUBSEQUENTLY, A FIRE ERUPTED AND THE PILOT RECEIVED SERIOUS BURNS. THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED, AND THE UPPER BOLT WAS FOUND FRACTURED. HOWEVER, EXAMINATION OF THE BOLT REVEALED THAT IT HAD FAILED IN SHEAR DUE TO DIRECT OVERSTRESS LOADING.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1995-06-04 Cessna 180 accident near Clear Lake, MN?

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE 'PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT UPON APPLICATION OF POWER' AND IMPACTED EVERGREEN TREES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT DURING THE OCCURRENCE, THE AIRPLANE SLID SIDEWAYS TO THE RIGHT. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SAID THE RIGHT WING CAME UP ABRUPTLY, THEN CAME DOWN…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1995-06-04 involved a Cessna 180, registration N3149D, at Clear Lake, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. The proximity of trees to the runway was a related factor.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X03654. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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