AIRCRAFT 1 PRELIMINARY REPORT

On May 9, 2000, about 1707 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel and tundra tire equipped Cessna 180K airplane, N2785K, sustained substantial damage while landing at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1220, from the Sand Point Airport, Sand Point, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on May 11, the pilot reported that while landing on runway 24, during the landing roll, the right main wheel "grabbed", and the airplane ground looped to the right. During the ground loop, the left wing struck the runway, and the airplane nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing leading edge, and left wing main spar. The Merrill Field weather observation at the time of the accident consisted of: Sky conditions and ceiling, 7,000 scattered, 20,000 overcast; visibility, 10 statute miles; wind, 270 degrees (magnetic) at 10 knots; altimeter, 29.99 inHg. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

AIRCRAFT 1 FINAL REPORT

The solo commercial pilot was landing on runway 24, in a tailwheel and tundra tire equipped airplane on a paved runway. The pilot stated that after landing the airplane's right main wheel 'grabbed,' and the airplane ground looped to the right. During the ground loop, the left wing struck the runway, and the airplane nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing leading edge, and left wing main spar. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

AIRCRAFT 1 CAUSE REPORT

The pilot's inadvertent ground loop/swerve during landing.

END REPORT