# NTSB ANC25LA049: Cessna 180J, N605NB, Flagstaff, AZ, June 8, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 8, 2025, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Flagstaff, AZ - Coordinates: 35.13986, -111.66926 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1399&lon=-111.6693&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 200312 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200312/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200312 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA049 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in variable and gusty wind, which resulted in a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, in variable and gusty wind conditions, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot attempted to correct by applying opposite rudder and brakes and subsequently aborted the takeoff. During the aborted takeoff, the airplane ground looped to the right which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N605NB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N605NB), registered now, S/N 18052732, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J - Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052732 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 6913 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Zulu Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Zulu Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 2025, 43 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: FLG, Flagstaff Pulliam, runway 03, 8,800 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 16, 2024; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 9,150 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: KFLG - METAR: KFLG 080857Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 12/M02 A3023 RMK AO2 SLP133 T01171017 58009 $ ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20250608005849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250608005849A), Jun 8, 2025: Cessna 180J, Flagstaff, AZ, Substantial damage. While attempting to takeoff from rwy 3 at Flagstaff airport. The pilot experienced a wind gust from the left, they attempted to correct, aborted the takeoff,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 11, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200312. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18888807&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20ANC25LA049_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 264 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18889263&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA049%20Photographs-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.