Aircraft: Cessna 180. Injuries: None. Location: Flagstaff, Ariz. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land the tailwheel-equipped airplane. He listened to the automated weather that included a comment that ice was present on the runway, but the braking action was fair.
The tower controller cleared the Cessna to land. While on final approach, the pilot configured the airplane in a right slip to compensate for a crosswind from the right.
The right wheel touched down first followed by the left wheel. The airplane began to drift to the right of centerline. The pilot attempted to correct, but the left wheel lost traction and the left wing hit the runway.
The airplane came to rest nose down in a snow bank. Airport personnel reported that no ice was present on the runway where the accident had occurred.
Both the pilot and pilot-rated passenger commented to airport personnel that the airplane had encountered a crosswind gust, and the pilot intentionally ground looped the airplane.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing that resulted in a ground loop.
NTSB Identification: WPR11CA097
This December 2010 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
