Cessna 180A accident near Bay City, Michigan, June 21, 1998
On June 21, 1998 at about 3:45 pm local time, a Cessna 180A, registered N9753B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bay City, Michigan (Hayward Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a fatigue failure of the left nose gear caster bolt which resulted in a separation of the nose gear during landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 21, 1998 · about 3:45 pm local time
- Place
- Bay City, Michigan · Hayward Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180A · all 180As on the register
- Registration
- N9753B · no longer on the register · serial 50051
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during the landing roll a 'rumbling noise' was heard and the airplane pulled slightly to the left when he applied the brakes. He stated he pulled back on the elevator to no avail, and the airplane nosed down and flipped inverted. Post accident inspection revealed the front wheel on the left float separated from the airplane. The wheel attachment bracket then dug into the sod airstrip which resulted in the airplane nosing over. Metallurgical examination revealed the left caster axis bolt failed due to a fatigue fracture.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 12,000 hours in all; 500 in this make and model; 240 in the last 90 days; 80 in the last 30 days; 7,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,249 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 24, 1998; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-K (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT at 3:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 2,275 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 135° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.