# NTSB CEN24LA126: Cessna 180, N7770K, Alexandria, LA, February 28, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 28, 2024, 15:52 local (21:52 UTC)
- Place: Alexandria, LA · LAT/LON is center of the airfield
- Coordinates: 31.394904, -92.295773 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3949&lon=-92.2958&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
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193875
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193875/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193875
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA126

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a gusting crosswind.

## 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 (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (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)
- [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 180J, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072622), [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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [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

The pilot encountered a gust of wind about halfway through his landing roll. He was unable to counter the gust with full aileron and rudder deflections, which resulted in a loss on control and ground loop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right horizontal stabilizer, and right elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 9 with wind from 020° at 12 knots with gusts to 22 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7770K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7770K), registered now, S/N 18052726, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (J)
- 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: 18052726
- Year built: 1976
- Airframe hours: 2333.7
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 13, 2024, 29.7 hours before
- Departed: 4R9, Dauphin Island, LA
- Destination: ESF, Pineville, LA
- Airport: ESF, Esler Rgnl, runway 09/27, 5,998 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,790 total, 360 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 12 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observed at: KESF, 1 nm away
- METAR: METAR KESF 282153Z AUTO 02012G22KT 10SM CLR 17/01 A3018 RMK AO2 SLP219 T01720006=

## 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 20240228002089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240228002089A), Feb 28, 2024: Cessna 180J, Alexandria, LA, Substantial damage. Pilot of aircraft [privacy data omitted], a Cessna 180J, indicated they departed dauphin island, al(4R9) at approximately 1348CST on February 28, 2024 enroute…

## Other investigations on N7770K (2)

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 WPR21LA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA327), May 6, 2021: Cessna 180J (N7770K), Buffalo, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground loop and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB FTW93LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA099), Mar 8, 1993: Cessna 180J (N7770K), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: AIRCRAFT CONTROL NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR WAS VIBRATION IN THE TAILWHEEL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 12, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193875. 4.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16870035&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 246 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16870258&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA126%20-%20Photo%20Summary-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.

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