# NTSB CEN12CA160: Cessna 180, N56180, South Fork, CO, February 18, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 18, 2012, 15:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: South Fork, CO - Coordinates: 37.740276, -106.525558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7403&lon=-106.5256&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 82919 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82919/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA160 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control while landing on a patchy snow-covered runway. ## 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) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/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 stated that, during the landing roll on a patchy snow-covered runway, he lost directional control when the airplane contacted a patch of snow. The airplane nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position. The airplane’s vertical fin and one wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative After landing on a patchy, snowed covered runway, the pilot stated that he lost directional control when the airplane contacted a patch of snow. The airplane nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position. Substantial damage was sustained to the airplane’s vertical fin and one wing. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56180](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56180), registered now, S/N 32165, built 1955 (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: 32165 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Standhart Gary - Registered owner: Standhart Gary - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: DRO, Durango, CO - Destination: CD69, South Fork, CO - Airport: CD69, Morning Shadow, runway 16, 4,480 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KALS, 36 nm away ## 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 20120218002049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120218002049A), Feb 18, 2012: Cessna 180, South Fork, CO, Substantial damage. 02/18/2012, @ 1441HRS MDT, N56180, Cessna (C-180), struck snow drift during landing on rwy 16 at South Fork, CO (CD69). Aircraft sustained substantial damage,… 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.