On March 2, 2003, a Cessna 180 A (registration UNREG) was involved in an aviation accident near Malin, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after touchdown on a gravel runway with surface irregularities. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot reported that shortly after a three-point landing on a private gravel runway, the aircraft encountered a soft spot on the surface. This caused the airplane to veer sharply to the right, depart the runway edge, and nose over upon hitting soft terrain.
The private pilot provided a written statement detailing the events leading to the accident. Shortly after touchdown during a three-point landing on a private gravel runway, the aircraft encountered a "soft spot" on the runway surface. This irregularity caused the airplane to veer to the right.
After veering off the main runway path, the aircraft departed the runway edge and entered soft terrain. The impact with this uneven ground resulted in the airplane nosing over.
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after touchdown on a gravel runway with surface irregularities.