# NTSB CEN16LA131: Cessna 180A, N9659B, Del Rio, TX, March 26, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 26, 2016, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Del Rio, TX - Coordinates: 29.372777, -100.927223 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3728&lon=-100.9272&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 12, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92899 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92899/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92899 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA131 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control while departing with a gusting tailwind. ## 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 180A, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot and passenger were departing runway 31 in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. During the takeoff, just as the tail became airborne, the airplane veered right. The pilot was unable to correct the turn, and the airplane departed the runway. An examination of the wheels and brakes did not reveal any abnormalities. About the time of departure, the reported winds were from 130 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots. Based on the pilot's choice of runway direction and the wind conditions at the time of takeoff, it is likely that he lost control while departing with a gusting tailwind. ## Factual narrative On March 26, 2016, about 0900 central daylight time, a Cessna 180A airplane, N9659B, impacted terrain during an attempted departure from the Del Rio International Airport (KDRT), Del Rio, Texas. The private rated pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged during the accident. The airplane was registered to and operated a private individual, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he started the takeoff roll on runway 31; the airplane's tail came up. The airplane then veered right and he was unable to correct the turn. The airplane departed the right side of the runway, and the airplane came to rest on its left side. An inspection by the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. In addition, the inspector did not find any evidence of a brake/wheel problem with the airplane. At 0903, the automated weather observation facility located at KDRT recorded; wind from 130 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 17 knots, 10 miles visibility, an overcast sky at 900 ft, temperature 57 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 55 F, and a barometric pressure of 29.88 inches of mercury. Previously, the KDRT weather facility recorded at 0853, wind from 120 degrees at 9 knots, 10 miles visibility and overcast sky at 1000 ft. At 0823, the wind was from 110 at 5 knots, 10 miles visibility and a broken sky at 1,200 ft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9659B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9659B-2017-02-06), registration cancelled 2017-02-06, S/N 32956, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180A - Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32956 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 5810 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 2015 - Departed: KDRT, Del Rio, TX - Destination: Pvt, Terlingua, TX - Airport: KDRT, Del Rio International, runway 31, 6,300 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,885 total, 167 in this make and model, 2,885 as pilot in command, 10.5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KDRT ## 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 20160326015339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160326015339A), Mar 26, 2016: Cessna 180A, Del Rio, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft proceeded to take off from taxi lane b, knowingly there was a tail wind of approximately up to 6 knots. When the aircraft reached approximately 50… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 13, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92899. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 788 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444385&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Statement (item 2, .PDF, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of Airport) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444387&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20Airport)-Master.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.