Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182 near North Platte, NE — 2017-08-22

Final reportGAA17CA508
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Date
2017-08-22
Location
North Platte, NE, USA
Airport
LBF
Aircraft
CESSNA 182
Registration
N2465G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot in the high-performance, tailwheel-equipped airplane, he accomplished a normal wheel landing on the asphalt runway in light-and-variable wind conditions. He reported that, during the landing roll, the tailwheel settled to the runway and began a "violent shimmy." The airplane exited the left side of the runway and ground looped to the left. The right wing and the elevator struck the ground. The pilot taxied the airplane to parking. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the elevator. The pilot reported that, shortly after the accident, he retrieved a metal clamp from the airport, which he believed was on the runway during the time of the accident. The accident airplane was originally manufactured with tricycle landing gear and was converted to a tailwheel-equipped airplane. A Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector examined the airplane's tailwheel assembly, including the tire and the wheel, for evidence that a clamp had gotten caught in the tailwheel assembly. He reported that there were no signs of any scarring to the wheel, tire, or steering assembly. There were no signs of tire damage from skidding, and the tailwheel's control cables were intact. He reported that "there [was] no visible sign of any sort [that] this tailwheel was operated any way other than what it is designed for, and there is not any physical sign it was ever not following the [inputs] from the pilot."

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked for debris on runway before landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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