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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

April 27, 2003 · Cessna 180 · N180MK

Pasco, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 27, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Pasco, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 180
Tail Number
N180MK
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA03LA071

The pilot, who was attempting a three-point landing, inadvertently let the main wheels touch the runway first, resulting in the aircraft bouncing back into the air. Just after it touched down a second time (on all three wheels), the tower asked him if he could make a turnoff at the next taxiway. The pilot therefore looked toward the taxiway in order to determine if it was reasonable to make a turnoff there. When he refocused his attention to the runway, the aircraft was veering to the left. He therefore attempted to get it realigned with the runway, but was unable to do so. Almost immediately thereafter, the aircraft ground-looped. During the ground-loop, one wing impacted the runway, and then the aircraft tipped up onto its nose.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate remedial action when his aircraft began to veer during the landing roll, and his ultimate failure to maintain directional control which resulted in a ground loop. Factors include the pilot's momentary diversion of his attention during the landing roll.

Full Narrative

On April 27, 2003, approximately 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180, N180MK, was substantially damaged when one of its wings contacted the runway during the landing roll at Tri-Cities Airport, Pasco, Washington. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Richland, Washington, about 5 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. There was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, who was attempting a three-point landing on runway 12, he inadvertently let the main wheels touch first, resulting in the aircraft bouncing back into the air. Just after the aircraft touched down a second time (on all three wheels), the tower asked him if he could make a turnoff at the next taxiway. The pilot therefore looked toward the taxiway in order to determine if it was reasonable to make a turnoff there. When he refocused his attention to the runway, the aircraft was veering to the left. He therefore attempted to get it realigned with the runway, but was unable to do so. Almost immediately thereafter, the aircraft ground-looped. During the ground-loop, one wing impacted the runway, and then the aircraft tipped up onto its nose. According to the pilot, there did not seem to be anything wrong with the aircraft's flight controls or tailwheel steering system.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 PDT
Nearest AirportTri-Cities (0nm)
Runway12
Runway Length7700 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN180MK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · O-470KCL · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 36 C
Altimeter29.94 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data