On April 21, 2002, a Cessna 180 (registration N180CW) was involved in an aviation accident near Canton, MS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control after landing which resulted in the airplane departing the runway, and the subsequent impact with a ditch. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported that during landing on a 3,000-foot runway, the airplane drifted right despite full left rudder and braking, turned 120 degrees, and exited the runway into a ditch and gravel road.
Accident Details
The accident occurred during a landing on a 3,000-foot runway. According to the pilot, the airplane touched down within the first 20 percent of the runway and rolled approximately 1,000 feet at a ground speed of 20 knots. The airplane then began to drift to the right.
Sequence of Events
The pilot attempted to correct the right drift by applying full left rudder and braking, but the corrective actions were unsuccessful. The airplane subsequently turned about 120 degrees before the right main landing gear dropped into a ditch. The left wing then made contact with a gravel road.
Pilot Account
The pilot estimated that the crosswind component at the time of the accident was 8 knots. No other factors were mentioned in the account.