20 Feb 2013: CESSNA 180 — STEPHENSON JAMES E

20 Feb 2013: CESSNA 180 — STEPHENSON JAMES E

No fatalities • Halifax, NC, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to land in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane directional control during the landing roll.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

According to the pilot, after landing on runway 20 with a ninety degree crosswind and a seven knot gust, the wind lifted the left wing and the airplane "skipped" to the right about three or four times before the left main landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest 180 degrees from runway heading. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane first touched down between the centerline and the left edge of runway 20. The airplane bounced a minimum of four times with each bounce progressively closer to the left edge of the runway. The tracks indicate travel back towards the runway centerline and the airplane spinning to the right. Four gouges in the runway indicate two marks from the left main landing gear rim and two marks from the airplane propeller. The left main landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest on the left wing tip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage landing gear bulkhead assembly, landing gear attachment angle, and to the left wing strut attachment angle. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

  • cause Crosswind correction — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot
  • cause Pilot
  • Contributed to outcome

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 260/10kt, vis 10sm

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