NTSB Factual Report

On Aril 10, 2005, at 1326 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N9028C, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during the landing roll at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Merrill Field about 1145, and no flight plan was filed, nor was one required.

During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on April 10, the pilot reported that he was landing on runway 06. He said that during the landing roll, the airplane began to veer to the right. He applied left rudder without success. He then applied the airplane brakes, but could not prevent the airplane from ground looping to the right. The left wingtip, and the outboard end of the left elevator struck the ground.

On April 12, the pilot reported to the NTSB IIC that a mechanic inspected the airplane. The airplane received damage to the left wing ribs, the left aileron, and the left elevator.

At the time of the accident, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Merrill Field was reporting, in part: Wind, 240 degrees (true) at 5 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, 9,500 feet broken; temperature, 45 degrees F; dew point, 25 degrees F; altimeter, 29.59 inHg.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. A factor contributing to the accident was a tailwind.