# NTSB DEN83LA201: Cessna 180, N4596B, Busby, MT, August 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1983, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Busby, MT
- Coordinates: 45.440963, -107.039306 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4410&lon=-107.0393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16147
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16147/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA201

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT HE WAS MAKING A DOWNWIND LANDING TO AVOID TAXIING OVER ROUGH GROUND ANY FARTHER THAN NECESSARY. AFTER TOUCHDOWN HE TRAVELLED ABOUT 150 YARDS UP THE RUNWAY WHEN A GUST OF WIND PICKED UP THE TAIL AND HE LOST CONTROL ENDING IN A GROUND LOOP. THE AIRCRAFT TURNED OVER ON ITS NOSE AND RIGHT WING. THE PILOT SAID HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A LITTLE HEAVY ON THE BRAKES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4596B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4596B), registered now, S/N 31495, built 1955 (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: 31495
- Airframe hours: 1418
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gregg L. Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 1982, 33 hours before
- Departed: BUSBY, MT
- Airport: Jone'S Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 245 total, 25 in this make and model, 183 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SHR, 32 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830826044809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830826044809A), Aug 26, 1983: Cessna 180, Busby, MT, Substantial damage. Ground looped while landing downwind on a farm strip. Wind gust had raised the tail and pilot lost control.

## Other investigations on N4596B (2)

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.

- [NTSB FTW73FPJ12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73FPJ12), Mar 26, 1973: Cessna 180 (N4596B), Chickasha, OK, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW69D0195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69D0195), Aug 2, 1968: Cessna 180 (N4596B), Dripping Spgs, TX, substantial damage

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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