# NTSB CEN25LA376: Cessna 180H, N180BT, Omaha, NE, September 13, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 13, 2025, 09:06 local (14:06 UTC) - Place: Omaha, NE - Coordinates: 41.195402, -96.114108 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1954&lon=-96.1141&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 January 15, 2026 - 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): 200997 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA376 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200997/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200997 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA376 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane. ## 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 180H, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 180H, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that the purpose of the flight was to familiarize the new owner with the airplane and that he was the sole manipulator of the tailwheel airplane’s flight controls. He said that he made a stabilized approach to a wheel landing and as the tailwheel came down, the airplane veered to the left and became uncontrollable. The airplane exited the runway and the right wing dipped and contacted the ground. The airplane received substantial damage to the right wing and right elevator. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N180BT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N180BT), registered now, S/N 18051815, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H - Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18051815 - Year built: 1967 - Engines: Continental O-470L 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Aero Bug LLC - Registered owner: Aero Bug LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Airport: MLE, Millard, runway 12/30, 3,801 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 592 total, 11 in this make and model - Flight instructor; age 75; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 26, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 9,495 total, 12 in this make and model, 9,428 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KMLE - METAR: METAR KMLE 131415Z AUTO 23006KT 10SM CLR 26/17 A2993 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT E T02600171= ## 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 20250913016609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250913016609A), Sep 13, 2025: Cessna 180H, Millard, NE, Substantial damage. During a training session for a student seeking a tailwheel endorsement, the aircraft experienced a ground loop upon landing while under the control of the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 15, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200997. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (flight instructor) (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19640733&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_Form%20backup%20print%20final_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Flight instructor statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19640103&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CFI%20ststement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19646337&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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.