# NTSB DEN89LA096: Cessna 180, N4756B, Boulder, CO, March 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1989, 10:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Boulder, CO
- Coordinates: 40.040874, -105.370285 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0409&lon=-105.3703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17688
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17688/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA096

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, FAILING TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE. GUSTY CROSSWINDS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE PLT NOTICED THE WIND WAS VARIABLE AT 10 KTS. HE RPRTD THAT DRG THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE ACFT BEGAN TO TURN LEFT. HE ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT WITH RUDDER AND BRAKE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. HE REDUCED POWER & ABORTED THE TAKEOFF.  HOWEVER, THE ACFT DEPARTED THE RWY TO THE LEFT & THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR FAILED. THE PLT RPRTD THAT AFTER THE ACDNT, THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTH WITH GUSTS TO 15 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4756B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4756B-1991-05-03), registration cancelled 1991-05-03, S/N 31654 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31654
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert M. Michael
- Departed: 1V5
- Destination: 1V5
- Airport: 1V5, Boulder, runway 8, 4,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial, flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,903 total, 650 in this make and model, 7,905 as pilot in command, 194 in the last 90 days, 72 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890328004889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890328004889A), Mar 28, 1989: Cessna 180, Boulder, CO, Substantial damage. Lost control on takeoff roll in a gusty crosswind. Aborted takeoff,skidded off runway and collapsed right gear leg.

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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