Aviation Accident Summary CHI95TA174

ORR, MN, USA

Aircraft #1

N9336C

CESSNA 180

Analysis

THE OPERATOR OF THE AIRPLANE REPORTED IN A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW THAT THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED AS PART OF A YEAR LONG CONTRACT WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO FLY FIRE DETECTION FLIGHTS. IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT REPORTED THE WINDS WERE FROM 170 DEGREES AT 11 GUSTING TO 16 KNOTS. HE WAS MAKING A 'NORMAL' CROSSWIND APPROACH FOR A WHEEL LANDING ON RUNWAY 13. AS HE PASSED THE WIND SOCK, 'IT STOOD STRAIGHT OUT.' HE FELT THE AIRPLANE SWERVE TO THE RIGHT 'MOSTLY OUT OF CONTROL.' THE LEFT MAIN TIRE COLLAPSED AND THE WHEEL DUG INTO THE SOFT SURFACE AT THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. HE REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS NEARLY STOPPED WHEN IT NOSED OVER ON THE LEFT WING AND STABILIZER.

Factual Information

On May 12, 1995, at 1549 central daylight time, a Cessna 180, N9336C, sustained substantial damage during landing in Orr, Minnesota. The flight was a scheduled fire detection flight for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated in Orr, Minnesota, about 1400. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The operator of the airplane reported in a telephone interview that the flight was conducted as part of a year long contract with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to fly fire detection flights. In his written statement, the pilot reported the winds were from 170 degrees at 11 gusting to 16 knots. He was making a "normal" crosswind approach for a wheel landing on runway 13. As he passed the wind sock, "it stood straight out." He felt the airplane swerve to the right "mostly out of control." The left main tire collapsed and the wheel dug into the soft surface at the side of the runway. He reported that the airplane was nearly stopped when it nosed over on the left wing and stabilizer.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind weather condition. A factor was the crosswind.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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