NTSB Factual Report

On July 26, 2005, about 1145 central daylight time, a Cessna 188, N731SV, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during landing on runway 24 (5,501 feet by 100 feet, concrete), at the Mexico Memorial Airport, Mexico, Missouri. The 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the Mid Continent Airport, Hayti, Missouri, at an unconfirmed time.

In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he was landing the airplane on runway 24 into a left quartering headwind. He stated that his intent was to perform a wheel landing. He said that airplane bounced at which time he applied a little power, re-flared and attempted to wheel land again. He stated that the airplane again bounced at which time he elected to 3-point land the airplane. He said that upon touchdown, the airplane began to go to the right and he applied up elevator and left rudder. He said that the airplane began to skid sideways and went off of the runway. He said that when the wheels contacted the turf, the airplane began to hop and then the right main landing gear collapsed. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane.

The winds recorded at an airport 28 miles southwest of the accident airport were 230 degrees at 14 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors were the grass terrain adjacent to the runway and the collapse of the main landing gear.