No fatalities

20 Feb 2013: CESSNA 180 — STEPHENSON JAMES E — Halifax, NC

Halifax, NC, United States

On 20 Feb 2013, a CESSNA 180 operated by STEPHENSON JAMES E was involved in an aviation accident near Halifax, NC. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to land during gusty crosswind conditions, leading to a loss of directional control during the landing roll. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A Cessna 180 experienced a left main landing gear collapse after bouncing multiple times during a crosswind landing in North Carolina.

What happened

On February 20, 2013, a Cessna 180, registration N9411C, landed on runway 20 in Halifax, North Carolina, under visual meteorological conditions with a 10-knot wind from 260 degrees and 7-knot gusts. The pilot reported that after touching down with a ninety-degree crosswind, the wind lifted the left wing, causing the aircraft to skip to the right several times.

An FAA inspection determined the aircraft initially touched down between the runway centerline and the left edge of runway 20. The aircraft bounced at least four times, with each subsequent bounce moving closer to the left edge of the runway. Tracks on the runway showed the aircraft traveling back toward the centerline and spinning to the right. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft came to rest on its left wing tip, 180 degrees from the runway heading. There were no injuries resulting from the accident.

The investigation

Post-accident examination of N9411C revealed four gouges in the runway, consisting of two marks from the left main landing gear rim and two marks from the propeller. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the landing gear attachment angle, the fuselage landing gear bulkhead assembly, and the left wing strut attachment angle. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the impact that would have prevented normal operation.

Probable cause

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

Contributing factors

Causes

Crosswind correction — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome