# NTSB CEN10CA358: Cessna 180K, N2785K, Cahokia, IL, June 26, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 26, 2010, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Cahokia, IL - Coordinates: 38.570556, -90.156112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5706&lon=-90.1561&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76477 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA358 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76477/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76477 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA358 ## Probable cause The fatigue failure of the axle's attaching bolts during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: main landing gear attach sec](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear attach sec](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had a normal stabilized descent on his approach to land and flared about 50 feet above the runway before making a three-point touchdown. He said that during the roll the airplane tracked to the right and that he applied left rudder in response. He then heard a "bang" and the airplane moved abruptly and uncontrollably. The left wing and horizontal stabilizer sustained substantial damage when they contacted the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left wheel and axle separated from its main landing gear. Two of the four bolts that attach the axle to the gear exhibited a separation consistent with fatigue. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he had a normal stabilized descent on approach and flared about 50 feet above the runway. He indicated he made a three-point touchdown. He said that during the roll the airplane tracked to the right and he applied left rudder. He stated that he heard a "bang" and the airplane moved abruptly and uncontrollably. The left wing and horizontal stabilizer sustained substantial damage when they contacted the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left wheel and axle separated from its main landing gear. Two of the four bolts that attach the axle to the gear exhibited a separation consistent with fatigue. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2785K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2785K), registered now, S/N 18053067, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180K - Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18053067 - Airframe hours: 2005 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael B Minton - Registered owner: Two Rivers Ranch Service LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 24, 2009 - Departed: H88, Fredericktown, MO - Destination: CPS, Cahokia, IL - Airport: CPS, St Louis Downtown Airport, runway 12R, 6,997 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 14, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 423 total, 363 in this make and model, 349 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: CPS, 1 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 20100626040189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100626040189A), Jun 26, 2010: Cessna 180K, Cahokia, IL, Substantial damage. On landing rollout, aircraft seemed to be tracking to the right despite left rudder input. Pilot experienced a "bang" and the aircraft moved abruptly and… ## Other investigations on N2785K (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 CEN26LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA150), Mar 27, 2026: Cessna 180K (N2785K), Beloit, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing with a quartering headwind. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s runway selection based on the variable and gusting wind… - [NTSB ANC00LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA057), May 10, 2000: Cessna 180K (N2785K), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent ground loop/swerve during landing. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76477. 684 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 684 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332345&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.