# NTSB CHI02LA130: Cessna 180, N9135C, Hyannis, NE, May 9, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 9, 2002, 16:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Hyannis, NE - Coordinates: 42.000144, -101.760322 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0001&lon=-101.7603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54683 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54683/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54683 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA130 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain directional control and executed improper use of the brakes. A factor associated with the accident was the soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - Nose over, other - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage when it nosed over on soft terrain following a loss of directional control on landing. The pilot reported that the touchdown was smooth, but that the airplane began to veer to the right on the landing roll. He stated that he attempted to straighten the airplane using left rudder and brake to no avail. The airplane continued off the runway where it contacted terrain which contained several inches of standing water. The pilot reported that he could not recall whether his foot was on the brake or if the brake locked up. He reported that there were no problems with the aircraft and that the accident resulted from "pilot error". ## Factual narrative On May 9, 2002, at 1610 central daylight time, a Cessna 180, N9135C, nosed over on soft terrain following a loss of directional control on landing. The landing was being made on runway 35 (2,935 feet by 30 feet, dry asphalt) at the Hyannis Grant County Airport, Hyannis, Nebraska. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The tailwheel airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from McCook, Nebraska, at 1500. According to the pilot's written statement, the wind appeared to be out of the northwest upon approaching the Grant County Airport. The pilot stated that the crosswind landing on runway 35 was smooth, but the left wing came up when the aircraft was approximately 500 feet down the runway on the landing roll. The pilot stated that he stepped on the brakes, catching the right wheel on the runway. According to the pilot, the aircraft veered to the right and he attempted to straighten the airplane using left rudder and brake. The pilot reported that the airplane continued off the runway, contacted muddy terrain, and nosed over on the soft terrain. According to the pilot, he reported that he "honestly couldn't say whether or not his foot was on the brake of if the brake locked up." He then reported that there was nothing wrong with the airplane and that it was "pilot error." At 1553, the wind at the Alliance Municipal Airport (46 miles west of the accident site) was reported to be from 270 degrees at 6 knots gusting to 14 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9135C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9135C), registered now, S/N 31234, built 1954 (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: 31234 - Engines: Continental O-470A 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael R. Vontour - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MCK, McCook, NE - Destination: 1V2, Hyannis, NE - Airport: 1V2, Hyannis Grant County Airport, runway 35, 2,935 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 13, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,349 total, 120 in this make and model, 1,349 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: AIA, 46 nm away ## 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 20020509010099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020509010099A), May 9, 2002: Cessna 180, Hyannis, NE, No damage. (-23) Pilot lost control of the aircraft during landing. Aircraft departed runway 35, right side, shortly after touchdown into small pond, and flipped over.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 9, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54683. 373 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 307 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436598&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Interview (item 2, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436599&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-Redacted.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.