# NTSB MIA98LA174: Cessna 180D, N6471X, Natchez, MS, June 2, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 2, 1998, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Natchez, MS - Coordinates: 31.540018, -91.379341 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5400&lon=-91.3793&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38530 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA174 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38530/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA174 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of brakes on landing rollout. The tailwind was a factor. ## Analysis The pilot stated that while on the landing rollout he heard a sound like metal, experienced a loss of directional control, and the airplane rotated around its vertical axis to the left and came to rest on its side. Examination of the runway revealed evidence of the tailwheel off center and bouncing, braking action from the left and right main landing gear, and subsequent collapse of the left main landing gear. Examination of the brake assembly revealed no mechanical failure or abnormalities. ## Factual narrative On June 2, 1998, about 1400 central daylight time, a Cessna 180D, N6471X, registered to a private owner, crashed on landing rollout on runway 36 at the Hardy-Anders Field Natchez -Adams County Airport, Natchez, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from Quitman, Mississippi, 1 hour before the accident. The pilot stated he entered left downwind for runway 36. He made a wheel landing. As the airplane decelerated, the tail wheel touched down on the runway. A short time later, he heard a sound which sounded like metal, and experienced a loss of directional control. The airplane rotated around its vertical axis to the right. The left wing collided with the ground. The airplane came to a complete stop facing the opposite direction on its left side. Examination of the airplane revealed the left tire had separated from the airplane and a possible failure of the landing gear wheel and tire assembly. Examination of the runway by FAA personnel revealed initial tire marks about 600 feet from where the airplane came to rest. "There appears to be light loading on the left main, the tailwheel is off center to the east, shows a bouncing pattern and the right main shows a readily distinguishable pattern. The tire pattern becomes light and hard to distinguish. The tire marks again become easily visible just prior to when they start veering off to the right (east) and continues with the main tires starting to show side load evidence with heavy side load for the last 200'. Severe side load and even some side slip on the left main is evident for the last 75' until the left main wheel failed and the axle assembly dug into the pavement. The aircraft continued spinning to the left, ripped the left main strut from the aircraft and also caused the left wing strut to separate from the fuselage. The aircraft continued to roll and folded the left wing up to 90 degrees. A post crash investigation of the brake assemblies revealed no mechanical failure or abnormalities that would have contributed to the accident." ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6471X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6471X), registered now, S/N 18050971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180D - Registry model: [Cessna 180D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180d) (registry code 2072610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18050971 - Airframe hours: 3390 - Engines: Continental O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gregory L. Dowdy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 28, 1997, 60 hours before - Departed: 23M, QUITMAN, MS - Destination: HEZ - Airport: HEZ, Hardy-Anders Field, runway 36, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 850 total, 117 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: HEZ ## 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 19980602024439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980602024439A), Jun 2, 1998: Cessna 180D, Natchez, MS, Substantial damage. Ground looped landing. Side load tore off tire and wheel. Damaged wings and fuselage. (.4)the pilot stated that while on the landing rollout he heard a sound… ## Other investigations on N6471X (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 MIA73RKT18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA73RKT18), Oct 4, 1972: Cessna 180D (N6471X), Nassau, Burkina Faso, substantial damage 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.