No fatalities

Loss of Directional Control During Landing in Tailwheel Airplane

Mount Vernon, WA, United States

On March 9, 2018, a CESSNA 180 UNDESIGNAT was involved in an aviation accident near Mount Vernon, WA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot lost directional control during landing, causing the airplane to veer off the runway and sustain substantial damage to the left wing. No mechanical malfunctions were reported.

Accident Details

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing, the airplane bounced. The pilot added power, and the airplane then settled onto the runway. During the landing roll, directional control was lost, and the airplane exited the right side of the runway. Subsequently, the left wing struck the ground.

Pilot Report

After the incident, the pilot taxied the airplane to parking. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing ribs and spar.

Findings

The pilot reported the sequence of events, but no determination of cause was provided in the available information.

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 9 Mar 2018 CESSNA 180 UNDESIGNAT accident near Mount Vernon, WA?

A pilot lost directional control during landing, causing the airplane to veer off the runway and sustain substantial damage to the left wing. No mechanical malfunctions were reported.

Were there any fatalities in the 9 Mar 2018 CESSNA 180 UNDESIGNAT accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 9 Mar 2018 involved a CESSNA 180 UNDESIGNAT, at Mount Vernon, WA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.