# NTSB CHI91LA255: Cessna 180, N1637C, Walker, MN, August 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1991, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Walker, MN
- Coordinates: 47.07938, -94.570358 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0794&lon=-94.5704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15151
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15151/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA255

## Probable cause

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LANDING WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A GUSTY CROSSWIND AND A DOWNHILL EMBANKMENT (DITCH).

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN A GUSTY CROSSWIND, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED.  THE AIRCRAFT CAREENED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL GEAR AND WING DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1637C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1637C), registered now, S/N 30337, built 1953 (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: 30337
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-A 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Slater Airman, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 1, 1991, 3 hours before
- Departed: SLATER, IA
- Airport: Y49, Walker, runway 14, 2,803 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 860 total, 800 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19910806032659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910806032659A), Aug 6, 1991: Cessna 180, Walker, MN, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing in a strong gusty crosswind. Ran off runway and down an embankment.

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.