NTSB Factual Report

On May 9, 2002, at 1610 central daylight time, a Cessna 180, N9135C, nosed over on soft terrain following a loss of directional control on landing. The landing was being made on runway 35 (2,935 feet by 30 feet, dry asphalt) at the Hyannis Grant County Airport, Hyannis, Nebraska. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The tailwheel airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from McCook, Nebraska, at 1500.

According to the pilot's written statement, the wind appeared to be out of the northwest upon approaching the Grant County Airport. The pilot stated that the crosswind landing on runway 35 was smooth, but the left wing came up when the aircraft was approximately 500 feet down the runway on the landing roll. The pilot stated that he stepped on the brakes, catching the right wheel on the runway. According to the pilot, the aircraft veered to the right and he attempted to straighten the airplane using left rudder and brake. The pilot reported that the airplane continued off the runway, contacted muddy terrain, and nosed over on the soft terrain. According to the pilot, he reported that he "honestly couldn't say whether or not his foot was on the brake of if the brake locked up." He then reported that there was nothing wrong with the airplane and that it was "pilot error."

At 1553, the wind at the Alliance Municipal Airport (46 miles west of the accident site) was reported to be from 270 degrees at 6 knots gusting to 14 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot did not maintain directional control and executed improper use of the brakes. A factor associated with the accident was the soft terrain.