# NTSB BFO95LA068: Cessna 180H, N2728X, Chatsworth, NJ, June 20, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 1995, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Chatsworth, NJ - Location: 39.8126° N, 74.4246° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at COYLE FLD (NJ20), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8126&lon=-74.4246&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9059 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9059/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA068 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Related factors were the gusty crosswind conditions. ## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP/SERVE AND SUBSEQUENT NOSE OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL, HE PUSHED FORWARD ON THE CONTROL YOKE TO RAISE THE TAIL. HE STATED THAT THE CROSSWIND COMBINED WITH STRONG PROPELLER TORQUE CAUSED HIM TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 1995, at 1300 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 180H, N2728X, operated by New Jersey Forest Fire Service of Trenton, New Jersey, crashed during takeoff at Coyle Field, Chatsworth, New Jersey. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot, he completed the annual inspection of the airplane and was going to take the airplane on a test run around the traffic pattern. He reported that he completed his preflight inspection and engine run-up successfully. He stated that there was a frontal passage and the wind was changing direction most of the morning. He indicated that at the time of the attempted departure there was a moderate 10 to 12 knot crosswind. The pilot reported that he applied power and initiated a takeoff roll. He stated that as the aircraft accelerated he pushed forward on the control yoke to raise the tail. He stated that a combination of the strong quartering crosswind and propeller torque resulted in a loss of directional control of the airplane. The airplane ground looped and subsequently nosed over. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2728X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2728X), registered now, S/N 18051528, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H - Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 180-51528 - Airframe hours: 5766 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: New Jersey Forest Fire Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1995, 1 hours before - Departed: CYN, CHATWORTH, NJ - Airport: NJ20, Coyle Field, runway 28, 1,200 × 75 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 248 total, 102 in this make and model, 143 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 12 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F ## 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 19950620026959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950620026959A), Jun 20, 1995: Cessna 180H, Chatsworth, NJ, Substantial damage. Crosswind and torque caused loss of control on takeoff roll. Pilot unable cope. Ground loop and nose over. 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.