No fatalities

15 Jan 2016: CESSNA 180 K — Network Spares — Sussex, NJ

Sussex, NJ, United States

On 15 Jan 2016, a CESSNA 180 K operated by Network Spares was involved in an aviation accident near Sussex, NJ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing, which resulted in abnormal runway contact, a ground loop, and a nose over. 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

During a night landing with a student pilot at the controls, the aircraft hopped, the left wing dropped, and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to multiple components.

Accident Overview

A flight instructor reported that during a night landing, with the student pilot at the flight controls, the aircraft experienced an abnormal touchdown sequence. The instructor described feeling the airplane "hop a little" followed by an immediate drop of the left wing. Subsequently, the airplane "shifted to the right, the nose lifted, and as the airplane settled the airplane nosed over."

Aircraft Damage

Post-accident inspection revealed substantial damage to the left wing, the right wing lift strut, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder. The flight instructor did not report any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Instructor's Observations

The flight instructor, reflecting on the accident, offered a safety recommendation. He stated, "I believe the accident could have been prevented if I personally executed the landing and not assisted my student in the landing." Additionally, he noted that "the length of the day and emotional fatigue played a big factor" in the accident.

Contributing factors

Causes

Student/instructed pilotPitch control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Instructor/check pilot