Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary SEA06CA156

Elk City, ID, USA

Aircraft #1

N3239D

Cessna 180

Analysis

According to the pilot, he landed to the north on the 4,100-foot-long turf airstrip and had slowed the airplane to about 25 mph when it "went to the right of centerline." He attempted to regain directional control by using left rudder and brake, but was unable to prevent the airplane from ground looping. The pilot commented that he "should have been faster on the rudder pedals to not let it get away."

Factual Information

On August 2, 2006, about 0720 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180, N3239D, sustained substantial damage when it ground looped during landing at Moose Creek USFS Airport, Elk City, Idaho. The private pilot and the two passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed from a private airstrip in Sandpoint, Idaho about 0600. According to the pilot, he landed to the north on the 4,100-foot-long turf airstrip and had slowed the airplane to about 25 mph when it "went to the right of centerline." He attempted to regain directional control by using left rudder and brake, but was unable to prevent the airplane from ground looping. The pilot commented that he "should have been faster on the rudder pedals to not let it get away." An FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported that the left wing sustained structural damage.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop during the landing roll.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports