# NTSB CEN24LA250: Cessna 180, N669CB, Fayetteville, AR, July 4, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 4, 2024, 08:02 local (13:02 UTC) - Place: Fayetteville, AR - Coordinates: 36.005083, -94.170056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0051&lon=-94.1701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194628 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA250 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194628/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194628 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA250 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control due to a muscle spasm. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02010000): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02010000/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02010000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: 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 While on takeoff from the airport in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the pilot reported that as he applied right rudder, a muscle spasm shot through his right calf. The spasm resulted in the pilot’s foot pressing hard on the right rudder pedal. Before the pilot could regain directional control, the airplane’s tail swung left, and the airplane steered towards the runway edge. The airplane’s left main landing gear contacted a runway taxiway light collapsing the left main landing gear and the airplane settled on the left wing and ground looped. The pilot had already pulled the throttle back during the muscle spasm and the airplane skidded to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot said that he felt that his lack of proper hydration led to his muscle spasm. There were no reported mechanical malfunctions or failures that contributed to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N669CB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N669CB), registered now, S/N 18052725, 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: 18052725 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 7031.6 - Engines: Continental O-520 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mcalister Thomas K - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 2024, 10.1 hours before - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: FYV, Drake Fld, runway 16, 6,005 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 3, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 975.9 total, 777.8 in this make and model, 948.3 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KFYV - METAR: KFYV 041253Z 17007KT 9SM CLR 28/23 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP132 T02830228 ## 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 20240704009219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240704009219A), Jul 4, 2024: Cessna 180J, Fayetteville, AR, Substantial damage. On July 4th at approximately 08:00 aircraft [privacy data omitted] a Cessna 180J was cleared for takeoff on runway 16 at Drake Field in Fayetteville, Arkansas… ## Other investigations on N669CB (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 CEN22LA337](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA337), Jul 22, 2022: Cessna 180J (N669CB), Oshkosh, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a gusty crosswind. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194628. 12.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 7.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17428174&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20CEN24LA250_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17427494&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N669CB%20ground%20loop%20statement-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 960 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17427384&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%202%20CEN24LA250-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.