# NTSB ANC97LA066: Cessna 180, N74806, Talkeetna, AK, May 2, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 2, 1997, 15:54 local (23:54 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.449928, -149.790542 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4499&lon=-149.7905&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2999 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2999/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA066 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was: the variable crosswind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot was departing in a tailwheel equipped airplane on runway 36. He reported that during the takeoff roll, there was a left crosswind that varied from a headwind to a tailwind, and the tail of the airplane began to swing to the right. The airplane ground looped to the left, and ran off the left edge of the runway. The right main landing gear strut collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane came to rest partially up on its nose and received damage to the right landing gear attach point, the right wing, and propeller. At 1550, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Talkeetna reported the wind was from 245 degrees at 10 kts. ## Factual narrative On May 2, 1997, at 1554 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180, N74806, crashed during takeoff at the Talkeetna Airport, Talkeetna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, and two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. On May 2, 1997, at 1710, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), that he was departing runway 36 at Talkeetna. A crosswind from the left varied from a headwind to a tailwind. During the takeoff roll, the tail of the airplane began to swing to the right and a gust of wind lifted the left wing. The airplane ground looped to the left and the airplane ran off the left edge of the runway. The right main landing gear strut collapsed and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane came to rest partially up on its nose and received damage to the right landing gear attach point, the right wing, and propeller. At 1550, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Talkeetna was reporting in part: Wind, 245 degrees (magnetic) at 10 knots; visibility, 60 statute miles; clouds, 4,000 feet scattered, 20,000 feet broken; temperature, 55 degrees F; dew point, 29 degrees F; altimeter, 29.96 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: N74806 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 50335 - Airframe hours: 3571 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gerald Van Hoomissen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 1996, 3 hours before - Airport: TKA, Talkeetna, runway 36, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 607 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 245° at 10 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TKA ## 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 19970502007739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970502007739A), May 2, 1997: Cessna 180A, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Wind lifted left wing on variable gusty crosswind. Ground looped to left. Folded right main. Wing hit runway. 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.