# NTSB NYC98LA186: Cessna 180, N6503A, Lakeshore, MD, September 12, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 12, 1998, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Lakeshore, MD - Coordinates: 39.110618, -76.550453 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1106&lon=-76.5505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43950 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43950/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA186 ## Probable cause Failures of the right float's nose wheel do to a preexisting fatigue crack. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear - fatigue (cause) - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy ## Analysis The airplane entered a left downwind for the west runway. On final, the pilot lowered the landing gear, selected full flaps, and touched-down smoothly approximately 300-400 feet down the 1,800 foot grass strip. While rolling out, and approximately 30 mph, the airplane yawed right about 170 degrees causing the left float to collapse and fold under the airplane. The right float's nose wheel was found in an area of loose dirt about 40 feet prior to the airplane's final resting. Examination of the right float's nose wheel revealed marks consistent with a preexisting fatigue crack. ## Factual narrative On September 12, 1998, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 180, amphibian, N6503A, was substantially damaged during landing at Mountain Road Airport (MD43), Lakeshore, Maryland. The certificated airline transport pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he entered a left downwind for the west runway at Mountain Road. On final, he lowered the landing gear and selected full flaps before clearing the trees on the approach end of the runway. The pilot added that he touched-down smoothly approximately 300-400 feet down the 1,800 foot grass strip. According to the pilot, while "rolling out", and approximately 30 mph, the airplane yawed right about 170 degrees causing the left float to collapse and fold under the airplane. After the float collapsed, the airplane came to rest on a magnetic heading of about 080 degrees, with the engine still running, and the propeller impacting the left float. The pilot secured the engine and all three occupants egressed without injury. After egress, the pilot found the right nose wheel about 40 feet prior to the airplane's final resting spot in an area of loose dirt that measured approximately 12 inches wide and 8 to 10 inches deep. In addition, he found a partially buried boulder between the area of loose dirt and the approach end of the runway. The pilot estimated the boulder's exposed area as 3 to 4 inches high, 12 to 18 inches across, and 18 to 24 inches long. He also observed scratch marks on the top of the boulder. The pilot noted that the boulder and loose area of dirt lay in the path of the wheel and skid marks left by the accident airplane. The Safety Board Investigator examined the right float's nose wheel and observed beach marks, corrosion on the fracture surface, and other signs consistent with a preexisting fatigue crack. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6503A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6503A), registered now, S/N 32400, built 1956 (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: 32400 - Airframe hours: 4662 - Engines: Continental O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Marshall Gildermaster - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1998, 32 hours before - Departed: CGS, COLLEGE PARK, MD - Destination: MD43 - Airport: MD43, Mountain Road ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,729 total, 214 in this make and model, 5,200 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BWI, 10 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 19980912035209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980912035209A), Sep 12, 1998: Cessna STC180, Lakeshore, MD, Substantial damage. During roll-out, the right nose gear failed, causing the nosegear strut to dig into the soft dirt. The aircraft pivoted around the broken strut, which induced… ## Other investigations on N6503A (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 CHI91LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA197), Jun 21, 1991: Cessna 180 (N6503A), Grand Rapids, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER AIRSPEED DURING LANDING AND THE IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN… 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.