- Date
- July 22, 2002, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place
- Ogallala, NE
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N5359DCessna C180A
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 4, 2002
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Federal Aviaiton Administration
- FAA report
- 20020722027649A
- Case key
- 55293
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. The open window diverting the pilot's attention was a contributing factor.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The airplane was substantially damaged when it ground looped during takeoff. The pilot stated that his window popped open during takeoff causing him to become distracted. He stated that the airplane started to turn right, and he was unable to regain control.
Factual narrative
On July 22, 2002, at 0900 mountain daylight time, a Cessna C180A, N5359D, operated by Harris Aerial Survey, was substantially damaged when it ground looped during takeoff from runway 13 (3,698 feet by 50 feet, asphalt) at the Searle Field Airport, Ogallala, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 business flight was not operating on a flight plan. The commercial pilot and passenger were uninjured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to the Couer D' Alene Air Term Airport, Couer D' Alene, Idaho.
The pilot stated in a written statement, "Started takeoff roll to get fuel at Scotts Bluff about 0900 at about 700 [feet] and 50 mph window poped open possibly causing momentary distraction airplane started to right and I was unable to bring it back left runway and started back to left airplane stoped before left wing hit ground [sic]"
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5359D
- Reported as
- Cessna C180A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 180-50257
- Engine
- Continental R-0470, 235 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Harris Aerial Survey
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- OGA · Ogallala, NE
- Destination
- COE · Coeur D' Alene, ID
- Airport
- OGA · Searle Field, runway 13, 3,698 × 50 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 57
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Last flight review
- February 1, 2001
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 5,289 total · 573 in this make and model · 5,268 as pilot in command · 106 in the last 90 days · 58 in the last 30 days · 7 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 10° at 11 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.27 inHg
- Observed at
- OGA
Docket · 1
The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 23, 2002, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 330 KB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N5359D · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.