# NTSB CHI99LA251: Cessna 180, N9330C, Frankfort, MI, July 24, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 24, 1999, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Frankfort, MI - Coordinates: 44.630752, -86.229583 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6308&lon=-86.2296&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46895 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46895/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA251 ## Probable cause the inadequate flare and the go-around not performed by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The personal flight entered the traffic pattern for a full stop landing at the destination airport. The pilot reported that the winds were light and variable and 'Upon touchdown a/c settled abruptly to the left and became unstable. The a/c stayed on center of runway then turned hard right.' A witness stated that the aircraft made a hard landing followed by a bounce of approximately 4-5 feet. He added that after another hard contact, the aircraft then veered to the right and skidded off the west side of the runway. ## Factual narrative On July 25, 1999, at 1620 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 180, N9330C, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during a bounced landing on runway 15 (3,900 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt) at Frankfort Dow Memorial Field, Frankfort, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The personal flight departed Saginaw County H. W. Brown Airport, Saginaw, Michigan, at 1430, en route to Manistee County-Blacker Airport, Manistee, Michigan. In a written statement, the pilot reported the following: "...Upon reaching Frankfort, used a normal approach pattern ie; crosswind, downwind, base, final. Winds were light and variable, temp 90 degrees. Upon touchdown a/c settled abruptly to the left and became unstable. The a/c stayed on center of runway then turned hard to the right. I could not stop this turn with opposite rudder or brake. The left wheel dug into [the] grass and the a/c came to rest on the left wing tip, left gear and prop. The pilot also reported a mechanical failure of the "left tire/tube". A witness, who also reported to be a pilot, stated the he had observed the accident aircraft on a left downwind pattern and on final approach from about 100 feet to touchdown. The witness stated that the aircraft made a hard landing followed by a bounce of approximately 4-5 feet. He added that after another hard contact, the aircraft then veered to the right and skidded off the west side of the runway. The witness reported that the winds were under 10 mph from 250 degrees with "no significant gusts". Flight control continuity was established by the Federal Aviation Administration. Advisory Circular, AC 61-21A, Flight Training Handbook, states the following under, "Bouncing During Touchdown": "When the airplane contacts the ground with a sharp impact as the result of an improper attitude or an excessive rate of sink, it tends to "bounce" back into the air..." AC-61-21A states under "Hard Landing", "When the airplane contacts the ground during landings, its vertical speed is instantly reduced to zero. Unless provision is made to slow the vertical speed and cushion the impact of touchdown, the force of contact with the ground may be so great as to cause structural damage. ...A 6 inch free fall on landing is equal, roughly to a 340-foot per minute descent..." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9330C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9330C), registered now, S/N 31728, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31728 - Airframe hours: 9209 - Engines: Continental O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John H. Mckay - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1999, 12 hours before - Departed: 3SG, SAGINAW, MI - Destination: 3D4 - Airport: 3D4, Frankfort Dow Memorial, runway 15, 3,900 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,553 total, 75 in this make and model, 1,310 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MBL, 25 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 19990724009719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990724009719A), Jul 24, 1999: Cessna 180, Frankfort, MI, Substantial damage. Acft landed hard, bounced, and ran off the rwy. (.19) on July 25, 1999, at 1620 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 180, N9330C, owned and piloted by a commercial… ## Other investigations on N9330C (1) 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 WPR11CA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA162), Mar 10, 2011: Cessna 180 (N9330C), Pine, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain. 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.