# Incident 20031026028439I: Cessna 180J, Denver, CO, October 26, 2003

- Type: FAA incident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 26, 2003, 14:00 local time
- Place: Denver, CO
- Airport: Front Range Airport
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Roll-Out (Fixed Wing)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.7853° N, 104.5431° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7853&lon=-104.5431&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9794G, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9794G) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 180J (registry code 2072622, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental O-470 series (registry code 17026, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 2,564 total, 23 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DEN04LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA016) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031026028439I

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON 10/26/03, AT 1400 HRS MDT, A CESSNA 180J, N9794G, PILOTED BY JAMES WALTER TAPP, LANDED ON RUNWAY 26 AT FRONT RANGE AIRPORT (FTG) IN WATKINS CO. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND GROUND LOOPED THE AIRCRAFT TO THE RIGHT. DURING THE TIME OF THE LANDING WINDS WERE REPORTED FROM 260 DEGREES AND SHIFTING TO 320 DEGREES AT 10-14 KNOTS. MR. TAPP STATED HE FELT HE MADE A NORMAL APPROACH WITH THE AIRCRAFT POSITIONED WITH A 10-15 DEGREE CRAB ANGLE TO THE RIGHT, AND THAT THE TOUCHDOWN WAS STRAIGHT ON CENTERLINE AT NORMAL SPEEDS FOR A 3 POINT LANDING.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB DEN04LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA016), Oct 26, 2003: Cessna 180J (N9794G), Watkins, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in the ground loop. Factors contributing to the accident were the crosswind and the gusts.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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