# NTSB CEN12CA590: Cessna 180J, N52187, Wausau, WI, August 14, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 14, 2012, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Wausau, WI - Coordinates: 44.926109, -89.626945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9261&lon=-89.6269&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 July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FSDO Milwaukee - NTSB case key (mKey): 84857 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA590 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84857/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84857 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA590 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control during landing roll out, resulting in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was an unexpected crosswind wind gust. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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 180J, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis After an uneventful 30-minute flight, the pilot set up the tail wheel equipped airplane for a full stop traffic pattern approach and landing. The pilot stated that he touched down normally on the dry asphalt runway heading 050 degrees. Nearing the end of roll out, a "huge" unexpected gust of wind (about 20-25 knots out of the west) lifted the left wing off the ground and pushed the tail to the right, causing the nose of airplane to face to the left. The pilot attempted to correct, but did not have enough rudder authority. The airplane then skidded to the left and went slightly off the left side of the runway. The right wing dug into dirt, resulting in structural damage to the outboard section of right wing. The pilot stated that he had checked the ATIS information just prior to landing, and the reported wind was 050 degrees at 10 knots with no gusts. Also, he stated that wind "T" indicated that the wind was from about 050 degrees. The pilot noted that he was very surprised when he encountered the crosswind gust on roll out. Shortly after the accident, the pilot demonstrated proficiency in crosswind landings during an FAA check flight. ## Factual narrative After an uneventful 30-minute flight, the pilot set up the tail wheel equipped airplane for a full stop traffic pattern approach and landing. The pilot stated that he touched down normally on the dry asphalt runway heading 050 degrees. Nearing the end of roll out, a "huge" unexpected gust of wind (about 20-25 knots out of the west) lifted the left wing off the ground and pushed the tail to the right, causing the nose of airplane to face to the left. The pilot attempted to correct, but did not have enough rudder authority. The airplane then skidded to the left and went slightly off the left side of the runway. The right wing dug into dirt, resulting in structural damage to the outboard section of the right wing. The pilot stated that he had checked the ATIS information just prior to landing, and the reported wind was 050 degrees at 10 knots with no gusts. Also, he stated that wind "T" indicated that the wind was from about 050 degrees. The pilot noted that he was very surprised when he encountered the crosswind gust on roll out. Shortly after the accident, the pilot demonstrated proficiency in crosswind landings during an FAA check flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52187](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52187), registered now, S/N 18052545, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J - Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052545 - Airframe hours: 2281 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Monk Robert William - Registered owner: Monk Robert William - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 2012, 10 hours before - Departed: WI36, Lake Tomahawk, WI - Destination: AUW, Wausau, WI - Airport: AUW, Wausau Downtown Airport, runway 04, 3,041 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 6, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 365 total, 100 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 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 20120814016989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120814016989A), Aug 14, 2012: Cessna 180J, Wausau, WI, Substantial damage. Pilot did not correctly respond to windshift during flare; pilot did not recognize aircraft was drifting right; pilot attempted correction, aircraft left wing… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84857. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393776&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.