Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 180 - B near Redmond, OR — 2013-09-16

Final reportWPR13LA414
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Date
2013-09-16
Location
Redmond, OR, USA
Airport
RDM
Aircraft
CESSNA 180 - B
Registration
N5112E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's inability to counter an unexpected wind gust after touchdown, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

NTSB narrative

During the approach to the airport, the pilot/owner of the tailwheel-equipped, high-wing airplane obtained the airport conditions via the automated broadcast, which reported the wind direction as "variable," and the wind speed as 3 knots. Per the air traffic control tower controller's instructions, the pilot entered the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 10; the airplane was subsequently cleared to land. When the airplane was midfield on the downwind leg, the controller advised the pilot that the wind was from 340 degrees at 4 knots. The pilot used full flaps for the final approach and touchdown, which he reported as "normal." However, just after touchdown, a wind gust lifted the left wing, which the pilot was unable to successfully counter with flight control inputs. The airplane ground looped to the left, which damaged the right wing and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Review of the wind data revealed that the wind direction at the wind sensor site, which was 5,000 ft east of the accident location, was approximately from the north but changed about 60 degrees in the minute surrounding the time of the landing. The recorded speeds were between 4 and 7 knots. The sensor was located in a flat open area, whereas multiple buildings were located about 700 ft from either side of the accident landing zone, which could affect wind speed and direction in the landing zone. Wind sensor data processing algorithms combined with the distance and differences in surroundings between the wind sensor and the accident location allowed the possibility that the recorded wind values did not accurately represent the wind values experienced by the airplane on landing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have applied corrective aileron pressure sooner during landing roll.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

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