# NTSB CEN09CA027: Cessna 180, N1729F, Denton, TX, October 19, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 19, 2008, 06:50 local (12:50 UTC)
- Place: Denton, TX
- Coordinates: 33.200279, -97.191947 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2003&lon=-97.1919&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69319/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA027

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control and subsequent "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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 64 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072602), [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 180, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 180, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported in a telephone interview that he planned to do proficiency landings during the early morning hours. During one of the landings, the wing began to lift and he was not able to regain directional control of the single-engine tail-wheel equipped airplane. The airplane then "ground-looped", and came to rest inverted on the runway. The pilot further reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported in a telephone interview that he planned to do proficiency landings during the early morning hours. During one of the landings, the wing began to lift and he was not able to regain directional control of the single-engine tail-wheel equipped airplane. The airplane then "ground-looped," and came to rest inverted on the runway. The pilot further reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1729F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1729F), registered now, S/N 30619, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30619
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 8, 2008
- Departed: 52F, Roanoke, TX
- Destination: KDTO, Denton, TX
- Airport: KDTO, Denton, runway 17, 5,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 16,278 total, 538 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg

## 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 20081019849419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081019849419A), Oct 19, 2008: Cessna 180, Denton, TX, Destroyed. (-23) [privacy data omitted] stated that on 10/19/2008, he was PIC on N1729F and was practicing touch and goes during very early morning (nighttime) time…

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.

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