The Cessna 180H had recently undergone maintenance to realign the main landing gear.
During the third landing, the plane turned sharply to the left upon touchdown.
The pilot attempted a go-around, but the airplane continued to veer off the runway surface, exited the runway safety area, and hit the upslope of a drainage ditch at the airport in Wasilla, Alaska.
The left main landing gear separated from the fuselage and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the gearbox, left wing, ailerons, left horizontal stabilizer, and left elevator.
A post-accident examination revealed that the main landing gear shim bolts were in place, but the main landing gear attachment bolt had broken. The attachment bolt’s fracture surfaces and surrounding area revealed fracture features and deformation patterns consistent with a ductile overstress fracture, which likely occurred during the accident sequence.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as the pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing and an attempted go-around, which resulted in collision with terrain.
NTSB Identification: ANC14LA039
This June 2014 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.
The anchor bolts on all the older flat spring Cessnas should be inspected by removal of those bolts and recording the finding of serviceability. several years back was a C195 had the same thing happen that cost the owner a engine tear down, a propeller and right wing repairs.