NTSB Factual Report

On October 20, 2002, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N1302D, sustained substantial damage when the left wing struck the paved surface of a runway during landing at the Wasilla Airport, Wasilla, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight 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, Anchorage, Alaska, at 1630.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on October 22, the pilot reported he was landing on runway 03 at Wasilla. During the landing roll, the pilot said the airplane swerved to the right, and the left wing subsequently struck the runway. The airplane came to rest along the right side of the runway.

On October 23, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), inspected the airplane. The inspector reported that the airplane received damage to the left aileron, the outboard wing rib, and the upper surface of the wingtip.

At 1655, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Wasilla was reporting in part: Wind, calm; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, clear; temperature, 50 degrees F; dew point, 39 degrees F; altimeter, 29.21 inHg.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, resulting in the left wing striking the runway.