Accident Sequence
On March 31, 2016, at approximately 1145 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180D single-engine airplane, registration N180XV, was substantially damaged during a landing at Shiprock Airstrip (5V5), near Shiprock, New Mexico. The airline transport pilot sustained serious injuries, while the passenger was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by TumiAir, Inc. under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which had departed from Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), Durango, Colorado, about 1100.
While en route, the pilot obtained current weather conditions at Four Corners Regional Airport (FMN), Farmington, New Mexico. According to the pilot, at 1120, the surface wind at FMN was reported as 200 degrees at 4 knots. Upon arriving at 5V5, the pilot conducted an overflight of the airport before entering a left traffic pattern for runway 20, which measured 4,840 feet by 75 feet and was asphalt. The pilot executed a normal three-point landing at approximately 50 miles per hour with wing flaps extended to 30 degrees.
Shortly after touchdown, a left quartering tailwind gust caused the airplane to veer to the right. The pilot stated that he was unable to regain directional control before the airplane departed the right side of the runway and entered a drainage ditch. During the runway excursion, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane subsequently nosed over. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Damage
The fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder sustained substantial damage during the accident.
Weather Information
The closest aviation weather station was located at Four Corners Regional Airport (FMN), Farmington, New Mexico, about 23 miles east-northeast of the accident site. At 1153, the FMN automated surface observing system reported: variable surface wind direction at 5 knots, surface visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 7 degrees Celsius, dew point -7 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 29.89 inches of mercury. The previous hourly report, issued at 1053, indicated that the surface wind had been light and variable.