Casualties unknown

2005-07-16: Cessna 180 (N2944C) — Prospect, OR

Prospect, OR, US

On July 16, 2005, a Cessna 180 (registration N2944C) was involved in an aviation accident near Prospect, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to perform a wheel landing with a 5 to 10 knot tail wind, and his subsequent loss of aircraft directional control during the landing roll. A tailwind and soft terrain were factors. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported a violent tailwheel shimmy during landing roll, causing the airplane to depart the left side of the runway and nose over in soft ground. Witnesses observed a long, fast wheel landing with variable wind conditions.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported that during the landing roll, the airplane's tail wheel "shimmied violently" and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that the ground was soft, and the airplane nosed over, damaging both wings and the left wing strut.

Witness Accounts

Several witnesses observed the airplane perform a "low pass down runway 20 to the south." One witness noted that the pilot executed a "pulling turn up, 180 degree turn to land on runway 02." Many witnesses agreed that the pilot landed "long and fast" and performed a wheel landing on runway 02. Wind observations varied: one witness reported the wind was "about 5-7 MPH out of the South," while another estimated approximately 10 Knots from the south (180 degrees). The pilot, however, reported that the wind was calm.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the airplane's tail wheel began to shimmy violently. This caused the airplane to veer left off the runway. The pilot indicated that the soft ground condition led to the airplane nosing over, resulting in damage to both wings and the left wing strut. No injuries were reported.

Post-Accident Observations

Photographs of the runway showed two equally black skid marks that veered left off runway 02, with extensions continuing in the gravel and grass to the nosed-over airplane. Aircraft recovery personnel noted that after the airplane was "up righted," both brakes were found to function normally.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20050802X01144. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.