# NTSB CEN26LA150: Cessna 180K, N2785K, Beloit, KS, March 27, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 27, 2026, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Beloit, KS
- Coordinates: 39.470342, -98.126719
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4703&lon=-98.1267&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 30, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Wichita FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202720
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202720/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202720
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA150

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing with a quartering headwind. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s runway selection based on the variable and gusting wind conditions.

## 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 180K, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that the final approach was stable; however, the winds were gusting according to the automated wind report he received during the approach to the airport. The airplane touched down on the runway centerline, and when the airplane’s tail came down, the airplane immediately began a left turn and the right wing began to lift. The pilot attempted to correct with rudder and aileron inputs along with brakes; however, the left wing tip contacted the runway and the airplane exited the right side of the runway. The left main landing gear separated, and the airplane came to rest on the edge of the runway. The left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. 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 36 with variable winds from 030° to 040° at 18 knots and gusting to 23 knots. The pilot stated the accident could have been prevented if he would have chosen to use the turf runway that was oriented more directly into the wind.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2785K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2785K), registered now, S/N 18053067, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180K (180)
- Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18053067
- Year built: 1979
- Airframe hours: 2420
- Engines: Continental Motors O-470-50 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pontiac Flying LLC
- Registered owner: Pontiac Flying LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 2026, 6 hours before
- Departed: KPNT, Pontiac, IL
- Destination: K61, Beloit, KS
- Airport: K61, Moritz Meml, runway 36, 4,300 × 75 ft, concrete
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, waiver time limited special; last flight review April 18, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 14,300 total, 116 in this make and model, 14,200 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.65 inHg
- Turbulence: Light
- Observed at: KCNK, 23 nm away
- METAR: METAR KCNK 271655Z AUTO 02018G25KT 10SM CLR 08/M04 A3065 RMK AO2 PK WND 04027/1616 SLP385 T00831044

## 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 20260327004689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260327004689A), Mar 27, 2026: Cessna 180K, Beloit, KS, Substantial damage. The pilot in command (PIC) reported conducting a final approach to runway 35 with variable winds from 030–040 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 23 knots. The PIC…

## Other investigations on N2785K (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 CEN10CA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA358), Jun 26, 2010: Cessna 180K (N2785K), Cahokia, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fatigue failure of the axle's attaching bolts during landing.
- [NTSB ANC00LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA057), May 10, 2000: Cessna 180K (N2785K), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent ground loop/swerve during landing.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202720. 5.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20164074&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA150%20pilot%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 419 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20164449&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA150%20NTSB%20photo%20list-Rel.pdf
- Maps or charts of accident area (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20164804&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA150%20K61%20chart%20supplement-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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