# NTSB ATL06CA132: Cessna 180K, N64382, Mooresville, NC, September 28, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 28, 2006, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Mooresville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.608055, -80.892776
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6081&lon=-80.8928&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Greensboro FSDO-05
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64645
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06CA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64645/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA132

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll which resulted in a ground loop.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

The pilot stated while adding power on the takeoff roll in a crosswind condition, he lost control of the airplane and it ground looped. The pilot did not report any flight control or mechanical anomalies prior to the accident. The pilot stated that he needed more training in crosswind conditions in a tailwheel aircraft.

## Factual narrative

On September 28, 2006, at 1115 eastern daylight time, A Cessna 180K, N64382, registered to Skywagon 382 Inc. and operated by a private owner, as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, ground looped during takeoff roll at the Lake Norman Airpark, Mooresville, North Carolina. The airplane received substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot, and pilot rated passenger reported no injuries. The flight was originating from Lake Norman Airpark at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated while adding power on takeoff roll in a crosswind condition, he lost control of the airplane and ground looped. The pilot did not report any flight control or mechanical anomalies prior to the accident. The pilot stated that he needed more training in crosswind conditions in a tail-wheel aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64382](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N64382), registered now, S/N 18052896, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 180K
- Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052896
- Airframe hours: 1468.4
- Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph D. Coakley
- Registered owner: Skywagon 382 Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2006, 27 hours before
- Departed: 14A, MOORESVILLE, NC
- Destination: 14A, Mooresville, NC
- Airport: 14A, Lake Norman Airpark, runway 32, 3,147 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 1,196 total, 15 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: 14A

## 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 20060928021179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060928021179A), Sep 28, 2006: Cessna 180K, Mooresville, NC, Minor damage. (-23) On September 28, 2006 at 1115 eastern dst, the pilot [privacy data omitted] attempted to take-off N64382 (CE-180-K) on runway 32 at lake Norman airpark…

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.