- Date
- April 14, 2004, 17:25 local (23:25 UTC)
- Place
- Las Vegas, NM
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N8956QCessna 180A
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 30, 2004
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- FAA FSDO
- FAA report
- 20040414010989A
- Case key
- 59064
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's decision to takeoff in wind conditions that consisted of a quarterly tailwind and a crosswind in excess of the maximum demonstrated crosswind component, and his failure to maintain directional control.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
During the take off roll from runway 14, a gust of wind weathervaned the tail of the airplane into the wind. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over substantially damaging the airplane. The Aviation Routine Weather Report reported winds from 260 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots. At 1609, a peak wind from 270 degrees at 30 knots was recorded. According to the Cessna Pilot Operating Handbook, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component is 12 knots. The crosswind component was calculated to be a 12 to 31 knot tailwind.
Factual narrative
On April 14, 2004, at approximately 1725 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180A, N8956Q, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during takeoff roll at Las Vegas Municipal Airport, Las Vegas, New Mexico. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. An instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Colorado Springs, Colorado.
According to the pilot, during the take off roll from runway 14, a gust of wind weathervaned the tail of the airplane into the wind. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over, crushing the vertical stabilizer and rudder.
The 1653 Las Vegas METAR (Aviation Routine Weather Report) reported winds from 260 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots. At 1609, a peak wind from 270 degrees at 30 knots was recorded. According to the Cessna Pilot Operating Handbook, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component is 12 knots. The crosswind component was calculated to be a 12 to 31 knot tailwind.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8956Q
- Reported as
- Cessna 180A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 32776
- Airframe hours
- 5,139
- Engine
- Continental O-470K, 230 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · April 1, 2004 · 23 hours before
- Departed
- LVS · Las Vegas, NM
- Destination
- COS · Colorado Sprgs, CO
- Flight plan
- IFR
- Airport
- LVS · Las Vegas Municipal Airport, runway 14, 8,198 × 60 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 65
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Recreational
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane, Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Last flight review
- February 26, 2004
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 3,254 total · 17 in this make and model · 4 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 260° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 64 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.04 inHg
- Observed at
- LVS, 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.