Primary finding
Probable cause
Separation of the right main landing gear wheel.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, the airplane started bouncing after touchdown, and he began to apply right brake. About 150-200 ft after touchdown the right wheel left the gear leg, and on the next bounce the gear leg folded under the airplane. The airplane was equipped with gar aero 6-inch to 10-inch wheel adapters.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 19, 1993, at 2150 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N9968X, registered to and operated by the Pilot-in-Command bounced during landing and the right main landing wheel departed the airplane. A subsequent bounce folded the right main gear beneath the airplane and the airplane ground looped. The accident occurred during the hours of daylight at the Lake Hood Airstrip, Anchorage, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed Lake Hood Airstrip for a local flight. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the Pilot-in-Command, the sole occupant, was not injured. According to the Pilot-in-Command, after touchdown the right side of the airplane started bouncing and he began to apply right brake. On the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 the Pilot-in-Command states "About 150-200 feet after touchdown the right wheel left the gear leg and on the next bounce the gear leg folded under the airplane." According to the Pilot-in-Command, the airplane was equipped with GAR AERO 6 inch to 10 inch wheel adapters. -