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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

December 31, 2008 · Cessna 180K · N37MD

Port Orange, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 31, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Port Orange, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 180K
Tail Number
N37MD
Operator
Andrew G Spaulding
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA09CA127

The pilot, who recently acquired the airplane, was receiving instruction for insurance purposes. After performing some airwork, the pilot returned to the traffic pattern for landing practice and joined a left downwind leg for runway 23. On short final, he lowered flaps to 40 degrees and the airplane slowed to 60 knots. At 15 feet above ground level, the airplane "came down hard" on the runway numbers. The left and right main landing gear failed and the airplane received structural damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from 235 degrees at 10 knots, with gusts to 15 knots. He also reported that windshear occurred and they were unable to react quickly enough to prevent the hard landing. The reported wind at a nearby airport about the time of the accident was from 280 degrees at 15 knots. The pilot reported total flight experience of 1,354 hours, of which 3 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane and 3 hours were flown during the 90-day period preceding the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during landing. Contributing to the accident were the gusting wind conditions and the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model airplane.

Full Narrative

The pilot, who recently acquired the Cessna 180K airplane, was receiving instruction for insurance purposes. After some airwork was performed, the flight returned to the traffic pattern for landing practice. The pilot entered the traffic pattern and joined a left downwind leg for runway 23. On short final, flaps were lowered to 40 degrees and the airplane was slowed to 60 knots. At 15 feet above ground level, the airplane "came down hard" on the runway numbers. The left and right main landing gear failed and the airplane came to a stop on the right edge of the runway. Structural damage to the lower fuselage resulted. The pilot reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from 235 degrees at 10 knots, with gusts to 15 knots. He also reported that windshear occurred and they were unable to react quickly enough to prevent the hard landing. The reported wind at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, was from 280 degrees at 15 knots. The pilot reported a total flight experience of 1,354 hours; of which, 3 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane and 3 hours were flown during the 90-day period preceding the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EST
Nearest AirportSpruce Creek Airport (0nm)
Runway23
Runway Length4400 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180K
Tail NumberN37MD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAndrew G Spaulding
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-U · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 69 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time19:47
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data