The private pilot was landing his tailwheel-equipped Cessna 180H on a remote tidal beach in Seward, Alaska.
On touchdown, the plane bounced slightly before settling on the right main landing gear (MLG).
In an effort to correct for the right-wing-low landing, he applied left aileron, but the right wing continued to descend.
The right MLG wheel axle separated from the gear leg, and the airplane slid along the beach, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.
Examination of the four right MLG attachment bolts revealed features consistent with an overload on the MLG axle. Therefore, it is likely the pilot executed a hard uncoordinated landing, which resulted in the separation of the right MLG axle upon landing.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as the pilot’s execution of a hard uncoordinated landing, which resulted in the overstress fracture of the right main landing gear (MLG) axle attachment bolts and the subsequent separation of the of the right MLG axle.
NTSB Identification: ANC14LA054
This July 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.
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Operators of those tail wheel aircraft with two piece axle and spring should consider replacement of attach hardware even though Cessna may not have advised that in the past. Aging aircraft and the lack of new replacement aircraft for those jobs puts higher demands on the existing fleet.