# NTSB ERA18LA043: Cessna 180, N399F, Frederick, MD, December 3, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 3, 2017, 15:27 local (20:27 UTC) - Place: Frederick, MD - Coordinates: 39.417499, -77.374443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4175&lon=-77.3744&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96430 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA18LA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96430/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96430 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA043 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and the failure of the left main landing gear tire. ## 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 180, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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 180, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot stated that, after a smooth landing, the left main landing gear tire failed, and the left wingtip struck the runway. A witness reported that the airplane made a "shallow" bounce when it first touched down on the runway. When the airplane touched down again, the left main tire blew. The airplane's left wing then dipped down and dragged on the runway surface for about 20 to 30 ft before the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall and an engine mount. Examination of the left main tire revealed features consistent with a progressive fracture through the rubber due to the overload failure of the underlying cords. Examination of the tire revealed no evidence of any preexisting damage or material deficiencies. Therefore, based on the witness statement and the left main tire examination, it is likely that the pilot failed to properly flare the airplane, which resulted in a bounced landing and the tire failing. ## Factual narrative On December 3, 2017, about 1527 eastern standard time, a Cessna 180, N399F, was substantially damaged while landing at the Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK), Frederick, Maryland. The pilot and the two passengers were not injured, but the pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. No flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Massey Aerodrome (MD1), Massey, Delaware, about 1445.The pilot stated that after a "smooth normal touchdown", the left tire failed. The left wheel rim dug into the runway pavement and the left wingtip struck the runway. The tail of the airplane also came up and the propeller blades struck the ground. The airplane came to rest on its nose just right of the runway centerline. A witness stated that the tailwheel-equipped airplane made a "shallow" bounce when it first touched down on runway 30. When the airplane touched down again, the left main tire blew. The airplane's left wing then dipped down and dragged on the runway surface for about 20-30 ft before the airplane went up on its nose and came to a rest. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the firewall and an engine mount were substantially damaged. The propeller, the spinner, the left main tire, and the left-wing tip were also damaged. The left tire assembly was examined by a National Transportation Safety Board Materials Specialist. The examination revealed features consistent with a progressive fracture through the rubber due to an overload failure of the underlying cords along one of the bias directions. There was no evidence of any preexisting damage or material deficiencies. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Basic Med medical certificate was issued on May 3, 2017. The pilot reported a total of 1,850 flight hours, of which, 100 hours were in the accident airplane. At 1525, the weather at FDK was reported as wind from 330° at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles, and clear skies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N399F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N399F), registered now, S/N 31478, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (UNDESIGNAT) - 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: 31478 - Year built: 1955 - Airframe hours: 4039.41 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 2017 - Departed: MD1, Massey, DE - Destination: FDK, Frederick, MD - Airport: FDK, Frederick Muni, runway 30, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed; last flight review March 18, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,850 total, 100 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days - Pilot-rated passenger; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review November 10, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,200 total, 10 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: FDK ## 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 20171203022639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171203022639A), Dec 3, 2017: Cessna 180, Frederick, MD, Substantial damage. On touch down at fdk, the pilot stated the left tire blew out. Aircraft came to rest on it nose causing structural damage. The weather (weather… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 6, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96430. 10.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470906&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Witness (item 2, .PDF, 76 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470907&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Witness-Master.PDF - Photos (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 556 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470908&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF - Materials Laboratory Factual Report 18-011 (item 4, .PDF, 6.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470909&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%20Factual%20Report%2018-011-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 and Evidence Control Forms (item 5, .PDF, 395 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470910&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15%20and%20Evidence%20Control%20Forms-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.