Aviation Accident Summary ANC03CA004

WASILLA, AK, USA

Aircraft #1

N1302D

Cessna 180

Analysis

The private certificated pilot was conducting a landing on a hard-surface runway. The pilot said that during the landing roll, the airplane swerved to the right, and the left wing subsequently struck the ground. The airplane came to rest along the right side of the runway. The airplane received damage to the left aileron, the outboard wing rib, and the upper surface of the wingtip. The weather conditions at the airport included calm winds.

Factual Information

On October 20, 2002, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N1302D, sustained substantial damage when the left wing struck the paved surface of a runway during landing at the Wasilla Airport, Wasilla, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, at 1630. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on October 22, the pilot reported he was landing on runway 03 at Wasilla. During the landing roll, the pilot said the airplane swerved to the right, and the left wing subsequently struck the runway. The airplane came to rest along the right side of the runway. On October 23, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), inspected the airplane. The inspector reported that the airplane received damage to the left aileron, the outboard wing rib, and the upper surface of the wingtip. At 1655, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Wasilla was reporting in part: Wind, calm; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, clear; temperature, 50 degrees F; dew point, 39 degrees F; altimeter, 29.21 inHg.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, resulting in the left wing striking the runway.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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