# NTSB DEN01LA049: Cessna 180K, N180PG, Clovis, NM, February 4, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 4, 2001 - Place: Clovis, NM - Coordinates: 34.409317, -103.200042 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4093&lon=-103.2000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 51442 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51442/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA049 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in the subsequent swerve of the airplane. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of experience in make and model and his diverted attention while attempting to adjust the trim. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command ## Analysis The private pilot, and sole occupant, was practicing touch-and-go landings and after landing and applying full power for take-off, as he attempted to adjust the trim. The airplane swerved to the left, and then hopped. The right main landing gear collapsed causing the prop and right wing to strike the runway. Then it swerved to the left side of the runway and stopped. The right wing outboard of the wing strut was bent up approximately 40 degrees. The right main landing gear, the fuselage between the landing gear attachment points and the propeller were also damaged. At the time of the accident, the pilot had 54 hours total time, 27 hours as pilot in command, 9 hours in make and model, and 4 hours within the last 30 and 90 days. ## Factual narrative On February 4, 2001, at approximately 0820 mountain standard time, a Cessna 180K, N180PG, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a touch-and-go landing at Clovis Municipal Airport, Clovis, New Mexico. The private pilot and sole occupant was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for this local personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at approximately 0815. According to the pilot, he was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 04. After landing and applying full power for takeoff, he attempted to adjust the trim. The airplane swerved to the left, and then hopped. The right main landing gear collapsed causing the prop and right wing to strike the runway. Then it swerved to the left side of the runway and stopped. The right wing outboard of the wing strut was bent up approximately 40 degrees. The right main landing gear, the fuselage between the landing gear attachment points and the propeller were also damaged. According to the pilot's accident report, at the time of the accident, he had 54 hours total time, 27 hours as pilot in command, 9 hours in make and model, and 4 hours within the last 30 and 90 days. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N180PG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N180PG), registered now, S/N 18053135, built 1980 (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: 18053135 - Airframe hours: 2898 - Engines: Continental O-470-50 265 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Blake Curtis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2001, 22 hours before - Departed: KCVN, Clovis, NM - Destination: KCVN, Clovis, NM - Airport: CVN, Clovis Municipal, runway 04, 6,200 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 24, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 54 total, 9 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.39 inHg - Observed at: KCVN ## 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 20010204001709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010204001709A), Feb 4, 2001: Cessna 180K, Clovis, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) Wind was 050 degrees at 7 knots, the low time pilot was conducting touch and go landings for currency and lost control on take off from runway 04 at… 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.