Cessna C-180E N8679X
6 May 1990 · Helena, Montana, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 6 May 1990 at about 17:14 local time, a Cessna C-180E registered N8679X was involved in an accident near Helena, Montana, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 17:14
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Helena, Montana, United States
- Nearest airport
- Helena Regional (HLN)
- Coordinates
- 46.5305, -112.2105
- Aircraft
- Cessna C-180E
- Registration
- N8679X
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- DEN90LA105
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
THE MALFUNCTION OF THE TAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS MAKING HIS FOURTH LANDING OF THE MORNING. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE MAIN LANDING GEAR AS PLANNED AND THEN HE LET THE TAIL WHEEL TOUCH DOWN ON THE RUNWAY. HE IMMEDIATELY FELT A VIBRATION AND HE LIFTED THE TAIL WHEEL BACK OFF OF THE RUNWAY. AFTER THE TAIL WHEEL CAME OFF THE RUNWAY HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IT GROUND-LOOPED. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAIL WHEEL BEARING AND PIVOT WAS WORN. IN ADDITION, THE RIGHT RUDDER BRAKE PEDAL RETURN SPRING WAS FOUND SEPARATED FROM THE ATTACHMENT BRACKET.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Apr 1990 | Peterson KIT FOX MODEL 1 | Highwood, Montana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 21 Mar 1990 | Cessna 172M | Three Forks, Montana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 8 Apr 1990 | Piper PA-28-140 | Forsyth, Montana, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 18 Apr 1990 | Cessna 172 | Columbia Falls, Montana, United States | Eagle Aviation, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 10 May 1990 | Piper PA-18-150 | Powderville, Montana, United States | W.l. Ranch Co. | No injuries | - |
| 3 Jun 1990 | Piper PA-38-112 | Belgrade, Montana, United States | Sunbird Aviation, Inc. | Serious injuries | - |