No fatalities

Tailwheel Airplane Noses Over During Landing Roll

Reedsburg, WI, United States

On April 20, 2019, a Cessna 180 J operated by State Of Wisconsin was involved in an aviation accident near Reedsburg, WI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of directional control and subsequent improper brake application during the landing roll, which resulted in 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 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

During the landing roll of a tailwheel airplane after a 3-point landing, the aircraft veered left. Despite right rudder and brake application, it nosed over, causing substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures.

Accident Overview

A tailwheel-equipped airplane was involved in an accident during the landing roll. The pilot had executed a 3-point landing, after which the aircraft began to veer to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation by applying right rudder, but the leftward movement continued. Subsequently, the pilot applied the brakes, causing the airplane to nose down onto the runway surface.

Pilot Account

The pilot reported that, following touchdown, the airplane unexpectedly veered left. Despite corrective rudder inputs, the deviation persisted, leading to the application of brakes. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Damage Assessment

The accident resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The specific nature of the damage was not further detailed in the report.

Mechanical Status

The pilot confirmed that the airplane had no known mechanical issues before the accident. The investigation did not identify any preexisting defects or anomalies.

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedIncorrect use/operationPilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 20 Apr 2019 Cessna 180 J accident near Reedsburg, WI?

During the landing roll of a tailwheel airplane after a 3-point landing, the aircraft veered left. Despite right rudder and brake application, it nosed over, causing substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures.

Were there any fatalities in the 20 Apr 2019 Cessna 180 J accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 20 Apr 2019 involved a Cessna 180 J, operated by State Of Wisconsin, at Reedsburg, WI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's loss of directional control and subsequent improper brake application during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.