NTSB Factual Report

On April 14, 2006, approximately 1200 Pacific daylight time, the wing of a Cessna 180, N40LT, contacted the runway surface during the landing roll at Klamath Falls International Airport, Klamath Falls, Oregon. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft's wing structure sustained substantial damage. The pilot, who is the owner/operator of the aircraft, initiated the 14 CFR Part 91 personal proficiency flight at the same airport approximately 90 minutes prior to the accident. There was no report of an ELT activation, and no flight plan had been filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, after her initial departure, she flew about 10 minutes south to Butte Valley Airport, where she executed about 10 touch-and-go landings. When the winds started to become variable and gusty at Butte Valley, the pilot returned to Klamath Falls, where she was cleared for a full-stop landing on runway 32. Although the touchdown was uneventful, according to the pilot, during the landing roll a crosswind gust lifted the left wing, and the aircraft began to veer from the runway heading. During her attempt to realign the aircraft with the runway, the aircraft turned sharply to the left, and the right wing and right elevator came in contact with the runway surface. The pilot said there did not appear to be any problems with the aircraft's flight controls or tailwheel steering system. After she taxied to parking, the pilot talked to an individual who had landed just before her, and that individual stated that he had also encountered gusty crosswinds. The two pilots estimated the gusts were as high as 15 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel-equipped aircraft during the landing roll. Factors include gusty crosswinds.