NTSB Factual Report

On July 16, 2009, about 0945 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel equipped, Cessna 180A airplane, N4UA, sustained substantial damage when it ground-looped during landing at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the University of Alaska as a visual flight rules (VFR) public use flight, under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airline transport pilot and the three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 16, the pilot said the purpose of the local flight was to demonstrate navigation technology to three passengers, all of whom were employees of the Federal Aviation Administration. He said upon returning to land, he noted that the winds on approach were unstable. In a written statement to the NTSB the pilot reported that after landing, "All of a sudden the left wing went up abruptly, slamming the right wing into the runway." He wrote that the right wing striking the ground caused the airplane to veer to the right, but he was able to keep the airplane on the runway. He indicated that it must have been a strong gust of wind that lifted the left wing. The pilot said there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, aileron, and right horizontal stabilizer.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a crosswind, which resulted in a ground-loop.