# NTSB SEA00LA060: Cessna 180K, N2635K, Silverdale, WA, April 2, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 1, 2000, 16:00 local (Apr 2, 2000, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Silverdale, WA - Coordinates: 47.669616, -122.7191 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6696&lon=-122.7191&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51320 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51320/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA060 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for winds. Factors include gusty, shifting winds, crosswinds, and an earthen berm near the edge of the runway. ## 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 - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - berm (contributing factor) - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot was landing the tailwheel aircraft in gusty winds that were shifting direction. He touched down on the main gear with a headwind, but as he lowered the tail to the runway surface, the aircraft was hit with a crosswind that caused it to swerve toward the side of the runway. Although the pilot attempted to realign the aircraft with the runway, it departed the left side of the runway and impacted an earthen berm. Upon contacting the berm, both main gear collapsed. ## Factual narrative On April 1, 2000, approximately 1600 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 180K, N2635K, experienced a gear collapse during the landing roll at Apex Airpark, Silverdale, Washington. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Roche Harbor Airport, Roche Harbor, Washington, about 45 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and the ELT, which was activated by the impact, was turned off at the scene. According to the pilot, he was landing in strong, variable, gusty winds at a location where he had landed many times before. He touched down on the main gear with a headwind, and kept the tailwheel elevated while he allowed the aircraft to slow. Then, just as he began to lower the tailwheel to the runway, a strong wind gust hit the aircraft from the side and it began to track toward the left edge of the runway. The pilot applied opposite rudder and opposite brake, but he could not keep the aircraft from departing the left side of the runway. Soon after departing the runway surface, both of the main gear impacted an earthen berm and folded back underneath the belly of the aircraft. The pilot said that there was nothing wrong with the aircraft or its systems, but that it just got away from him when the crosswind gust hit the aircraft during the transition from a two-point to a three-point position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2635K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2635K), registered now, S/N 18053020, built 1978 (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: 18053020 - Airframe hours: 4669 - Engines: Continental O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Reed E. Hansen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 2000, 12 hours before - Departed: 9SL, ROCHE HARBOR, WA - Destination: S42 - Airport: S42, Apex Airpark, runway 35, 2,500 × 35 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 403 total, 183 in this make and model, 291 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 20000401007349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000401007349A), Apr 1, 2000: Cessna 180K, Silverdale, WA, No damage. (-23) Pilot lost control of aircraft while attempting to land in gusty wind conditions on runway 35 at the Apex airport. AWOS data from the nearby bremerton… 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.