Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a wing strike.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during the landing roll on the flat, soft dirt, dry lakebed, he "could not get full deflection of the left brake as it felt as if something were underneath the pedal." The airplane veered right, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane bounced, and the left wing struck the ground. When the airplane stopped, the pilot could not find any objects that could have impeded the range of pedal movement. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA20CA029 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 15, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Flannigan, Nevada
- Nearest airport
- Dead Cow Lakebed Airstrip (n/a)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 180
- N-number
- N180JL
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1957
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.