AMES, IA, USA
N3161C
CESSNA 180
THE DESIRED RWY (19) WAS CLOSED AT THE DESTINATION, SO THE PLT LANDED ON RWY 13 WITH A 15 KT X-WIND. THE X-WIND WAS WITHIN THE CAPABILITY OF THE ACFT & THE PLT. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE PLT USED FULL RUDDER & BRAKE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. HOWEVER, HE REPORTED THAT THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A GUST & SUBSEQUENTLY SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. AFTER DEPARTING THE RWY, THE LEFT WING & HORIZONTAL STABILIZER CONTACTED THE GROUND & WERE DAMAGED. AN EXAM REVEALED THE TAILWHEEL LATCH SPRING, SCOTT PN 3222, HAD FAILED. WITH THIS PROBLEM, THE TAILWHEEL WOULD STEER THE ACFT TO THE RIGHT, BUT THERE WAS NO STEERING CAPABILITY TO THE LEFT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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