# NTSB DEN07CA111: Cessna 180A, N180EV, Loveland, CO, July 1, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 1, 2007, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Loveland, CO
- Coordinates: 40.451946, -105.01139
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4519&lon=-105.0114&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66107
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66107/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA111

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

The pilot reported encountering a gust of wind on landing causing the airplane to ground loop.  The pilot and three passengers on board were not injured.  An examination of the airplane showed the left wing bent aft.  The left main landing gear was broken aft.  The airplane's firewall was bent.  The cowling was crushed inward and aft.  The propeller showed torsional bending at the blade tips.  The left horizontal stabilizer and elevator were bent aft.  Flight control continuity was confirmed.  An examination of the airplane's systems showed no anomalies.  The reported wind conditions for the airport 10 minutes after the accident occurred were 180 degrees at 5 knots.  The wind conditions were calm 30 minutes prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported encountering a gust of wind on landing causing the airplane to ground loop.  The pilot and three passengers on board were not injured.  An examination of the airplane showed the left wing bent aft.  The left main landing gear was broken aft.  The airplane's firewall was bent.  The cowling was crushed inward and aft.  The propeller showed torsional bending at the blade tips.  The left horizontal stabilizer and elevator were bent aft.  Flight control continuity was confirmed.  An examination of the airplane's systems showed no anomalies.  The reported wind conditions for the airport 10 minutes after the accident occurred were 180 degrees at 5 knots.  The wind conditions were calm 30 minutes prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N180EV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N180EV), registered now, S/N 32949, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 180A
- Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32949
- Engines: Continental O-470-K reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard H. Otteman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 0V4, Pender, NE
- Destination: FNL, Loveland, CO
- Airport: FNL, Fort Collins-Loveland Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 2,545 total, 1,381 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 20070701014599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070701014599A), Jul 1, 2007: Cessna 180A, Fort Collins/L, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot reported a gust of wind on landing causing the aircraft to ground loop. The aircraft suffered substantial damage. Wind reports were calm 30…

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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