Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. Contributing to the accident was the strong left quartering tailwind and gust.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot said that as he approached his destination, AWOS reported the winds to be calm. Everything was "normal" as he crossed runway 32 threshold. The airplane touched down and the pilot felt a strong left quartering tailwind gust. The airplane lifted off and drifted to the right towards a snow bank, hangar, and fuel pump. The airplane touched down again and the pilot decided to commit to a landing, applying maximum brakes. The tail rose up and the propeller struck the ground. Post-accident examination disclosed the firewall was buckled. The nearest weather reporting facility reported the wind from 300 degrees at 11 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 18, 2008, approximately 1430 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180H, N67WW, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it nosed down on landing at Glenwood Springs Airport (GWS), Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. The cross-country flight originated in Santa Monica, California, approximately 0700 Pacific daylight time and, after refueling in St. George, Utah, departed at 1100 and was en route to GWS. The pilot said that as he approached GWS, the Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS) reported the winds to be calm. Everything was "normal" as he crossed the runway threshold. The airplane touched down and the pilot felt a strong left quartering tailwind gust. The airplane lifted off and drifted to the right towards a snow bank, hangar, and fuel pump. The airplane touched down again and the pilot decided to commit to a landing, applying maximum brakes. The tail rose up and the propeller struck the ground. Post-accident examination disclosed the firewall was buckled. The pilot reported no mechanical failures with the airplane.