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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 24, 1999 · Cessna 180 · N9330C

Frankfort, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 24, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Frankfort, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 180
Tail Number
N9330C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI99LA251

The personal flight entered the traffic pattern for a full stop landing at the destination airport. The pilot reported that the winds were light and variable and 'Upon touchdown a/c settled abruptly to the left and became unstable. The a/c stayed on center of runway then turned hard right.' A witness stated that the aircraft made a hard landing followed by a bounce of approximately 4-5 feet. He added that after another hard contact, the aircraft then veered to the right and skidded off the west side of the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

the inadequate flare and the go-around not performed by the pilot.

Full Narrative

On July 25, 1999, at 1620 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 180, N9330C, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during a bounced landing on runway 15 (3,900 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt) at Frankfort Dow Memorial Field, Frankfort, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The personal flight departed Saginaw County H. W. Brown Airport, Saginaw, Michigan, at 1430, en route to Manistee County-Blacker Airport, Manistee, Michigan. In a written statement, the pilot reported the following: "...Upon reaching Frankfort, used a normal approach pattern ie; crosswind, downwind, base, final. Winds were light and variable, temp 90 degrees. Upon touchdown a/c settled abruptly to the left and became unstable. The a/c stayed on center of runway then turned hard to the right. I could not stop this turn with opposite rudder or brake. The left wheel dug into [the] grass and the a/c came to rest on the left wing tip, left gear and prop. The pilot also reported a mechanical failure of the "left tire/tube". A witness, who also reported to be a pilot, stated the he had observed the accident aircraft on a left downwind pattern and on final approach from about 100 feet to touchdown. The witness stated that the aircraft made a hard landing followed by a bounce of approximately 4-5 feet. He added that after another hard contact, the aircraft then veered to the right and skidded off the west side of the runway. The witness reported that the winds were under 10 mph from 250 degrees with "no significant gusts". Flight control continuity was established by the Federal Aviation Administration. Advisory Circular, AC 61-21A, Flight Training Handbook, states the following under, "Bouncing During Touchdown": "When the airplane contacts the ground with a sharp impact as the result of an improper attitude or an excessive rate of sink, it tends to "bounce" back into the air..." AC-61-21A states under "Hard Landing", "When the airplane contacts the ground during landings, its vertical speed is instantly reduced to zero. Unless provision is made to slow the vertical speed and cushion the impact of touchdown, the force of contact with the ground may be so great as to cause structural damage. ...A 6 inch free fall on landing is equal, roughly to a 340-foot per minute descent..."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 EDT
Nearest AirportFrankfort Dow Memorial (0nm)
Runway15
Runway Length3900 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN9330C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-J · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data