Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 180H near Belle Chase, LA — 2012-03-11

Final reportCEN12CA185
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Date
2012-03-11
Location
Belle Chase, LA, USA
Airport
65LA
Aircraft
CESSNA 180H
Registration
N3424Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The bent tailwheel spring that allowed the tailwheel to caster when the airplane encountered a wind gust on landing roll.

NTSB narrative

On downwind, the pilot noticed that the wind had increased and that there was light turbulence. He planned to land beyond some trees to avoid turbulence. The airplane encountered a wind gust during the landing roll. The pilot applied rudder and aileron corrections along with heavy braking. The airplane exited the runway and impacted a pipe rack resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that a tailwheel spring was bent, and its spring rate was weak, which allowed the tailwheel's fork to caster freely by not engaging into its machined locking detent.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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