# NTSB CHI91LA158: Cessna 180, N66266, Scottsbluff, NE, May 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1991, 10:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Scottsbluff, NE
- Coordinates: 41.859203, -103.660316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8592&lon=-103.6603&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 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15067
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15067/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA158

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A CROSSWIND CONDITION AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER COMPLETING TWO TOUCH AND GOES, TO A FULL STOP, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON THE THIRD LANDING.  A GROUND LOOP ENSUED WHICH SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED THE AIRPLANE.  THE PILOT WAS LANDING IN A 30 DEGREE CROSSWIND.  THE PILOT HAD LOGGED 1.7 HOURS SOLO TIME IN THE TAIL WHEEL AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66266](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N66266), registered now, S/N 18052932, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 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: 18052932
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John K. Sorensen
- Airport: BFF, Heilig, runway 12, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 266 total, 13 in this make and model, 209 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: BFF, 1 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 19910519016549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910519016549A), May 19, 1991: Cessna 180K, Scottsbluff, NE, Substantial damage. Lost control and ground looped on landing. Blamed crosswind and inexperience in tail draggers.

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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