# NTSB CHI03LA081: Cessna 180K, N2732K, St Charles, MO, March 8, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 8, 2003, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: St Charles, MO - Coordinates: 38.848609, -90.5 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8486&lon=-90.5000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56701 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56701/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA081 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind and his failure to maintain directional control resulting in a ground loop. A factor was the crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged during a ground loop while landing. According to the pilot he had checked the weather 20 minutes before the accident and had estimated the crosswind at 9 knots. The pilot stated that during the landing roll the airplane passed a row of hangars. He reported that as the airplane passed the last hangar the left wing started to "float." The pilot attempted to apply corrective actions but was unable to do so. The airplane subsequently ground looped. ## Factual narrative On March 8, 2003, about 1100 central standard time, a Cessna 180K, N2732K, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a ground-loop while landing on runway 27 (3,451 feet by 49 feet, asphalt), at the St. Charles Airport (3SQ), St. Charles, Missouri. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The local flight originated at 1045 from a private airstrip near Wentzville, Missouri. According to the pilot, he had checked the weather 20 minutes before the accident. He stated that he estimated there would be a 9 knot crosswind on runway 27 at 3SQ. The pilot stated that during the landing roll the aircraft passed a row of hangers. The pilot reported that as the airplane passed the last hanger the left wing started to "float." The pilot stated that he added rudder and aileron control to correct the situation but was unable to do so. The airplane subsequently ground looped. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures. The pilot had logged a total of 230.4 hours, of which 33.2 were in the same make and model as the accident aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2732K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2732K), registered now, S/N 18053046, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180K - 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: 18053046 - Airframe hours: 9849 - Engines: Continental O-470U 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Danny and Lisa Clark Family Foundation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 2002 - Departed: PVT, Riddle, MO - Destination: 3SQ, St Charles, MO - Airport: 3SQ, St Charles Airport, runway 27, 3,451 × 49 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total, 33 in this make and model, 158 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: KSTL, 9 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 20030308004119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030308004119A), Mar 8, 2003: Cessna 180K, St Charles, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was attempting to land his Cessna 180 on runway 27 at 3SQ. The winds were from the south at about nine (9) knots with some gust factor. A line… ## Other investigations on N2732K (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 SEA94LA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA214), Aug 18, 1994: Cessna 180K (N2732K), Hite, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND WEATHER EVALUATION WERE INADEQUATE. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CROSSWIND AND GUSTS. 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.