# NTSB DEN88LA032: Cessna 180, N6547A, Telluride, CO, November 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1987, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Telluride, CO
- Coordinates: 37.939044, -107.900604 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9390&lon=-107.9006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17423
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17423/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA032

## Analysis

DURING A DOWNWIND LANDING, THE PLT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN CONTROLLING HIS ACFT. APPROXIMATELY 2,500 FEET FROM THE WEST END OF THE RWY THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED INTO SOME ROCKS AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS LANDING DOWNWIND AND DOWNHILL FOR A NOISE ABATEMENT PROGRAM BUT DID NOT BELIEVE THAT HE WOULD EVER DO IT AGAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6547A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6547A-2019-07-10), registration cancelled 2019-07-10, S/N 32444, built 1956 (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: 32444
- Airframe hours: 2385
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dewey Frank Dodge
- Registered owner: Dewey F Dodge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1987, 31 hours before
- Departed: PUB, PUEBLO, CO
- Airport: TEX, Telluride Regional, runway 9, 6,900 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 200 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19871128068699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871128068699A), Nov 28, 1987: Cessna 180, Telluride, CO, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised on landing. Lost control of the tailwheel aircraft. Left the runway and groundlooped.

## Other investigations on N6547A (1)

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 GAA18CA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA039), Nov 10, 2017: Cessna 180 (N6547A), Panama City, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain lateral/bank control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions.

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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