# NTSB ANC14LA054: Cessna 180H, N9083M, Seward, AK, July 14, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 2014, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Seward, AK - Coordinates: 59.916667, -147.49472 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.9167&lon=-147.4947&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89667 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14LA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89667/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89667 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14LA054 ## Probable cause The pilot’s execution of a hard uncoordinated landing, which resulted in the overstress fracture of the right main landing gear (MLG) axle attachment bolts and the subsequent separation of the of the right MLG axle. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main gear strut/axle/truck](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane on a remote tidal beach. The pilot reported that, upon touchdown, the airplane bounced slightly before settling on the right main landing gear (MLG). In an effort to correct for the right-wing-low landing, the pilot applied left aileron, but the right wing continued to descend. The right MLG wheel axle separated from the gear leg, and the airplane slid along the beach, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. Examination of the four right MLG attachment bolts revealed features consistent with an overload on the MLG axle. Therefore, it is likely the pilot executed a hard uncoordinated landing, which resulted in the separation of the right MLG axle upon landing. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 2014, about 0930 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 180H airplane, N9083M, sustained substantial damage while landing on a beach on Montague Island, about 60 miles east of Seward, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated private pilot, and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Wolf Lake Airport, Palmer, Alaska at approximately 0835. In a written report to the National Transportation Safety Board dated July 20, the pilot reported that he was landing on the beach at Patton Bay on the east side of Montague Island. Upon touchdown the airplane bounced slightly before settling on the right main landing gear. In an effort to correct for the right wing low landing the pilot applied left aileron, but the right wing continued to descend. The right main wheel separated from the gear leg, and the airplane slid along the surface sustaining substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. A postaccident examination, by the pilot, revealed that the right main landing gear axle separated from the gear leg. The axle and its four attaching bolts were sent to the NTSB's Materials Laboratory in Washington D.C. for examination. A Senior Safety Board Materials Engineer reported that the two forward attachment bolts, were bent slightly aft and exhibited longitudinal wear marks near the end of the threaded section with helical strips of metal present near the middle of the threaded section. The two aft bolts were bent aft, and the fractured surfaces were consistent with an overstress fracture. A complete copy of the NTSB's materials laboratory factual report is included in the public docket for this accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9083M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9083M-2017-05-22), registration cancelled 2017-05-22, S/N 18052183, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H - Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052183 - Year built: 1971 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Thomas Allen C - Registered owner: Thomas Allen C - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 2014, 4,841 hours before - Departed: 4AK6, Palmer, AK - Destination: Seward, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 26, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,309 total, 120 in this make and model, 1,293 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: PAWD, 60 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20140714010629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140714010629A), Jul 14, 2014: Cessna 180H, Seward, AK, Substantial damage. On July 14, 2014, aircraft N9083M took off from wolf lake airport(4AK6). The intended landing point was a beach located at Patton bay on Montague island, AK.… ## Other investigations on N9083M (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC11CA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA111), Sep 27, 2011: Cessna 180H (N9083M), Chenga Bay, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an obstruction while landing at an off-airport site, resulting in a loss of control. - [NTSB DEN79DTC20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79DTC20), Jul 11, 1979: Cessna 180 (N9083M), Cody, WY, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 27, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89667. 1.2 MB in all. - Materials Laboratory Factual Report (3 Embedded Images) (item 1, .PDF, 770 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435984&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%20Factual%20Report%20(3%20Embedded%20Images)-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 443 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435985&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.