Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate compensation for cross conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor relating to the accident was: the variable/gusty/crosswind condition.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was landing a tailwheel equipped airplane on a hard surface runway. The airplane was equipped with 26 inch tundra tires. During the landing roll, the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot applied right rudder, and right brake, but the airplane continued to veer to the left, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane then nosed over. The airport's automated weather observation system was reporting the wind conditions as 010 degrees at 7 knots. Following the accident, the pilot reported the wind conditions varied widely between 030 to 300 degrees, with wind gusts to 15 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 21, 1997, about 1440 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 180K, N64337, crashed during landing at the Soldotna Airport, Soldotna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area proficiency flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Clearwater Air Inc., Soldotna, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Soldotna Airport, at 1437. On April 22, 1997, at 1330, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), that he was landing on runway 07. The pilot was maintaining his flight proficiency. The airplane is equipped with 26 inch tundra tires. During the landing roll, the airplane began to veer to the left. He applied right rudder, and right brake application, but the airplane continued to veer to the left, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane then nosed over. The airplane received damage to the vertical stabilizer, the left wing lift strut, and the right wing. The pilot indicated the weather conditions, as reported by the Soldotna, Alaska, automated weather observation system (AWOS) were: wind, 010 degrees at 7 knots; visibility, 40 statute miles; clear skies; temperature, 45 degrees F. Following the accident, the pilot reported the wind conditions varied widely between 030 to 300 degrees, with wind gusts to 15 knots. -