Cessna 180 Skywagon
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 7.5; Flight Crew Total 608; Flight Crew Type 120
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Weather
I was conducting a flight in the pattern following some avionics upgrades. After being cleared for Runway XX; I unintentionally demonstrated a (scary) non-violent; flat ground loop upon landing. No damage to the airplane or the airport environment. The only damage was to my pride! I was fortunate that the grass was as wide as it was adjacent to the runway and that the transition from the runway edge to the grass and the grass itself was as smooth as it was. I am quite glad to have had a passenger (another pilot) in the right seat as we were able to debrief and I was able to assess the errors that created this event.1) I was carrying too much power (throttle) into the approach and upon landing. While my approach speed was correct; I failed to reduce the power to idle over the threshold. My examination of 'why I would do this' is attributed to my very recent multi-day return to flight training in a Turbo Cessna 182 which is very nose heavy and requires a bit of power to avoid sinking on final. This isn't an excuse! It is a reminder to me specifically that different aircraft require different techniques.2) I bounced. Albeit small; I bounced - caused by #1 and the fact that I landed too flat with too much momentum. I should have immediately gone.3) I didn't hold it off and I didn't have the yoke as far back as needed. I was trained to verbally say to myself 'hold it off; hold it off; hold it off' - I have gotten out of the habit and have re-instituted it.4) I wasn't lined up and there was a small crosswind. Crosswind landings are an area for me to work on. My passenger noticed a difference between the windsock at the approach end of the runway which was straight down the runway (my observation) with a calm to slight wind and the mid field sock indicating a 45 degree crosswind at about 7 to 8 knots. I didn't observe this as it was on the right side of the aircraft my view was obscured by the round out and flare (albeit flatter than required)Those are the ingredients in the recipe for inducing a ground loop - plain and simple.As I was able to taxi back following this incident with no physical damage to anyone or anything; there were a few things I did right...1) I did not panic - panicking never makes things better - that is not to say it wasn't serious - one of the scariest moments in my flying career for sure!2) I kept my heels firmly planted on the floor and did not apply the brakes. 3) Once it was clear that the rudder walk was not going to correct this situation; I put my full concentration into managing the energy and keeping the wings level so we could ride it out - the aircraft did end up rotating about 180 degrees in a decent sized arc - thank goodness for ample room and smooth terrain.I am a big believer of getting back on the horse when you fall off (doesn't mean I wasn't nervous or finding it hard not to think about it too much and psych myself out). I took some time to review some videos I have for Tailwheel Essentials. After all; I was bringing the aircraft back the following day and would need to land safely at home.I am glad to report that it was a good landing as I was lined up; on glide slope; with the correct approach speed; idle at the threshold and I held it off and pinned the tail to the runway with full back pressure - a nice three point landing. So I proved to myself once again that I can do it; and can do it safely. I have arranged some additional remedial training with a Tailwheel CFI to reorient my brain and strengthen my muscle memory.I consider myself extremely fortunate to have learned a VERY valuable lesson that I WILL NOT forget; with only a small loss of pride and a degree of embarrassment!
Cessna 180 Pilot reported a runway excursion during landing caused by loss of directional control. No aircraft or environmental damage.