# NTSB DEN84LA182: Cessna 180C, N9311T, Lustre, MT, June 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1984, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Lustre, MT
- Coordinates: 48.280319, -106.060943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2803&lon=-106.0609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16403
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16403/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA182

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DUE TO STRONG CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AT THE PREPARED LANDING STRIP, THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. ON TOUCHDOWN, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR ENCOUNTERED A HOLE, BREAKING THE MOUNTING STRUCTURE AND COLLAPSING THE GEAR. A GROUND LOOP ENSUED. THE PILOT STATED AVOIDANCE OF UNKNOWN, UNIMPROVED LANDING AREAS WOULD PREVENT SUCH MISHAPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9311T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9311T), registered now, S/N 50811, 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: 50811
- Airframe hours: 4800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald D. Kirk
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1983, 92 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 669 total, 446 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19840616025129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840616025129A), Jun 16, 1984: Cessna 180C, Lustre, MT, Substantial damage. Collided with a chuck hole while landing in a farm field.

## Other investigations on N9311T (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 ANC01LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA063), Jun 2, 2001: Cessna 180 (N9311T), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane, his inadequate preflight planning/decision making, and subsequent fuel exhaustion during cruise flight.
- [NTSB UNK65X1413](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X1413), Feb 10, 1965: Cessna 180 (N9311T), Leeville, LA, 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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