Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 180B near Burnet, TX — 2010-08-02

Final reportCEN10LA457
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Date
2010-08-02
Location
Burnet, TX, USA
Airport
BMQ
Aircraft
CESSNA 180B
Registration
N5177E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The failure of the tailwheel compression spring, which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was flying to an airport with a maintenance facility to have a tailwheel shimmy repaired. Upon arrival at the destination airport, the pilot performed a three point landing, and, during the landing roll, the rudder pedals began to “shudder violently.” The pilot was unable to control the airplane, and it exited the right side of the runway. During the runway excursion, the left wing hit the ground. Postaccident disassembly of the tailwheel revealed that the tailwheel compression spring had broken. The failure of the compression spring allowed the tailwheel to caster freely making controllability of the airplane on the ground difficult.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have inspected tailwheel before flight to prevent failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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