Cessna 180H N91399 accident near Wasilla, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing and an attempted go-around, which resulted in collision with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated that the airplane had recently undergone maintenance to realign the main landing gear. During the third landing, the airplane turned sharply to the left upon touchdown. The pilot attempted a go-around, but the airplane continued to veer off the runway surface, exited the runway safety area, and impacted the upslope of a drainage ditch. The left main landing gear separated from the fuselage and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the gearbox, left wing, ailerons, left horizontal stabilizer, and left elevator.

A postaccident examination revealed that the main landing gear shim bolts were in place, but the main landing gear attachment bolt had broken. The attachment bolt's fracture surfaces and surrounding area revealed fracture features and deformation patterns consistent with a ductile overstress fracture, which likely occurred during the accident sequence. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC14LA039 for the full record.