On August 1, 2007, a Cessna 180A (registration N5016E) was involved in an aviation accident near Duluth, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in impact with terrain during an attempted aborted landing. A factor in the accident was the geese impacted during the landing roll. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during an aborted landing on runway 14. The pilot reported hitting two geese while lowering the tailwheel, then losing control and flipping inverted.
Accident
An airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during an aborted landing attempt. The accident occurred on runway 14, which is 3,050 feet long and 75 feet wide, with a dry asphalt surface.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that while lowering the tailwheel to the runway, the airplane struck two geese. Subsequently, the airplane began to turn to the right. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation by applying left brake, left rudder, and right aileron control inputs. When these inputs did not arrest the turn, the pilot added full engine power with the intention of getting back in the air. However, the left wing then contacted the runway surface. The airplane subsequently flipped onto its back and came to rest in an inverted position.