Accident Details
On June 7, 2014, at approximately 1315 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Cessna 180H airplane, registration N91399, sustained substantial damage during landing at Wasilla Airport, Wasilla, Alaska. The pilot was operating the airplane as a visual flight rules (VFR) flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
Pilot Account
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on the day of the accident, the pilot stated that the airplane's main landing gear wheels were not tracking true on his last flight and exhibited a left turning tendency on the ground. The airplane had recently undergone maintenance, and the main landing gear had been realigned before the accident flight.
Landing Sequence
The pilot reported that on his third landing, upon touchdown, the airplane turned sharply to the left. He attempted a go-around, but the airplane continued to veer left, off the runway surface, exited the runway safety area, and impacted the upslope of a drainage ditch. The left main landing gear separated from the fuselage, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the gear box, left wing, ailerons, left horizontal stabilizer, and left elevator.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airplane by the NTSB IIC and another NTSB investigator revealed that the main landing gear shim bolts were in place, but the main landing gear attachment bolt had broken. The fracture surfaces and surrounding area showed fracture features and deformation patterns consistent with a ductile overstress fracture. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather Conditions
The closest weather reporting facility is Wasilla Airport. At 1316, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) at Wasilla reported: wind calm; visibility 10 statute miles; few clouds at 7,500 feet; overcast clouds at 8,500 feet; temperature 59 degrees F; dew point 37 degrees F; altimeter 29.69 inHg.