# NTSB CEN23LA251: Cessna 180, N3127C, Osceola, IA, June 21, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 21, 2023, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Osceola, IA - Coordinates: 41.050787, -93.689237 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0508&lon=-93.6892&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - DSM FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192418 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192418/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192418 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA251 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel equipped airplane during a crosswind landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; 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) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [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) ## 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: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the crosswind landing, the tailwheel equipped airplane touched down about 10 knots too fast, and the tailwheel started to shimmy. The flight instructor assisted the pilot with the controls as the airplane exited the runway into the adjacent grass area. However, the pilot was unable to regain control and the airplane ground looped. According to the flight instructor, the pilot had previously demonstrated proficiency in the airplane. The flight instructor reported that he did not intervene in a timely manner. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3127C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3127C), registered now, S/N 30926 (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: 30926 - Year built: 1954 - Airframe hours: 5453 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Chaar LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 2023 - Departed: KMVN, Mount Vernon, IL - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: I75, Osceola Muni, runway 36, 4,001 × 75 ft, concrete - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 17, 2022; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,548 total, 19 in this make and model, 948 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 64; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review June 2, 2023; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 3,484 total, 16 in this make and model, 3,331 as pilot in command, 45.1 in the last 90 days, 15.1 in the last 30 days, 4.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 7 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KI75 - METAR: KI75 211955Z AUTO 06007G14KT 050V110 10SM CLR 31/18 A3004 RMK AO2 T03050183,M ## 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 20230621011769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230621011769A), Jun 21, 2023: Cessna 180, Osceola, IA, Substantial damage. The loss of control on landing roll out was due to the failure to use proper/enough crosswind control of the 10 knot direct crosswind during the landing… ## Other investigations on N3127C (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA71DXM03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71DXM03), Jul 12, 1970: Cessna 180 (N3127C), Boise, ID, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 5, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192418. 98.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 97.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16015220&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16014921&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Flight instructor statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16104772&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Re_%20N3127C%20Statement%20request_Red-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16104292&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.