N67WWCessna 180H · 1966

According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he performed a wheel landing. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the left when the tailwheel touched down on the runway. The airplane exited the left side of the runway about 15 knots and impacted bushes, and then subsequently nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

On March 18, 2008, approximately 1430 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180H, N67WW, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it nosed down on landing at Glenwood Springs Airport (GWS), Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. The cross-country flight originated in Santa Monica, California, approximately 0700 Pacific daylight time and, after refueling in St. George, Utah, departed at 1100 and was en route to GWS.

The pilot said that as he approached GWS, the Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS) reported the winds to be calm. Everything was "normal" as he crossed the runway threshold. The airplane touched down and the pilot felt a strong left quartering tailwind gust. The airplane lifted off and drifted to the right towards a snow bank, hangar, and fuel pump. The airplane touched down again and the pilot decided to commit to a landing, applying maximum brakes. The tail rose up and the propeller struck the ground. Post-accident examination disclosed the firewall was buckled. The pilot reported no mechanical failures with the airplane.