Loss of Control on Ground: Cessna 180A, N180JL; accident occurred October 15, 2019 at Dead Cow Lakebed Airstrip, Washoe County, Nevada

View of damage to the left wing and aileron. 

Federal Aviation Administration

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Reno, Nevada

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N180JL

Location: Flannigan, NV
Accident Number: GAA20CA029
Date & Time: 10/15/2019, 1100 PDT
Registration: N180JL
Aircraft: Cessna 180
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Ground collision
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

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. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a wing strike. 

Findings

Aircraft

Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues

Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll

Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 57, Female
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied:Left 
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/04/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/27/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 289 hours (Total, all aircraft), 115 hours (Total, this make and model), 212 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N180JL
Model/Series: 180 A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1957
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 32858
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/09/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2250 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4473 Hours
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-470-50
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 265 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSVE, 4149 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 34 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1753 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 296°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 2300 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 12 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 100°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.99 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 30°C / 24°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Susanville, CA (SVE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Flannigan, NV (n/a)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1030 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Dead Cow Lakebed Airstrip (n/a)
Runway Surface Type: Dirt
Airport Elevation: 0 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach:None 
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Stop and Go 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 40.130000, -119.910000 (est)