# NTSB CHI96LA061: Cessna 180C, N9379T, Patoka, IN, December 17, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1995, 10:14 local (15:14 UTC)
- Place: Patoka, IN
- Coordinates: 38.399948, -87.580055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3999&lon=-87.5801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10175
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10175/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA061

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - wall/barricade
  - object - fence

## Analysis

The pilot reported that approximately 500 feet down the grass runway during the takeoff roll, the airplane seemed to turn to the left.  He applied more right rudder and the airplane lifted off.  The airplane settled back down to the runway, became airborne again, and then impacted a retaining wall located alongside a highway at the departure end of the runway.  The airplane traveled across the highway and hit a fence before coming to rest on a field.  The pilot stated that the airplane did not have any mechanical problems, he just lost control and never fully recovered.

## Factual narrative

On December 17, 1995, at 1014 eastern standard time, a Cessna 180C, N9379T, piloted by the owner/operator, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a retaining wall and fence during an attempted takeoff from Hull Airport, Patoka, Indiana.  The private pilot and passenger reported no injuries.  The pleasure flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The intended destination was Poseyville, Indiana.

The pilot reported that as he added power to start the takeoff roll on runway 18 (2600' x 100'), he applied right rudder.  The pilot stated that approximately 500 feet down the grass runway, the airplane seemed to turn to the left.  He applied more right rudder and the airplane lifted off.  The airplane settled back to the runway, became airborne again and then impacted a retaining wall located along side a highway at the departure end of the runway.  The airplane traveled across the highway and hit a fence before coming to rest on a field.

The pilot stated to the FAA that the airplane did not have any mechanical problems, he just lost control and never fully recovered.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9379T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9379T), registered now, S/N 50879, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 180C
- Registry model: [Cessna 180C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180c) (registry code 2072608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50879
- Airframe hours: 4656
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ralph E. & Billie D. Koch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1995, 84 hours before
- Departed: IN30
- Destination: 92IN, POSEYVILLE, IN
- Airport: IN30, Hull Field, runway 36, 2,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 515 total, 92 in this make and model, 408 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19951217041519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951217041519A), Dec 17, 1995: Cessna 180C, Patoka, IN, Substantial damage. Swerved on takeoff left quartering tailwind. Lifted and settled. Ran off end. Hit cement wall other prior stopping. (-23) with left quartering tailwind, airman…

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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