# NTSB DEN99LA147: Cessna 180H, N7939V, Gillette, WY, August 14, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 13, 1999, 18:00 local (Aug 14, 1999, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Gillette, WY - Coordinates: 44.459266, -105.699829 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4593&lon=-105.6998&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 2, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47099 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47099/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA147 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent ground loop during landing roll. ## 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 - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said he called the tower for airport advisories when he was 10 to 12 miles north of the airport. He was given a straight in to runway 16, but he didn't remember hearing the wind direction or its velocity. He did perform a left cross wind landing, but as he touched the runway the airplane 'weather vaned to the left.' The subsequent ground loop damaged the right wing tip and dorsal fin. The pilot stated that the surface winds were in excess of 30 knots from his left rear. He said the flags at the terminal were flying straight out. The official recorded winds for Gillette-Campbell County Airport at 1755 were clear skies with winds 080 degrees at 10 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 1999, approximately 1800 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180H, N7939V, was substantially damaged during landing roll at Gillette-Campbell County Airport, Gillette, Wyoming. The private pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. The airplane was being operated by the owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country personal flight which originated at Havre, Montana. No flight plan was filed. The pilot said he called the tower for airport advisories when he was 10 to 12 miles north of the airport. He was given a straight in to runway 16, but he didn't remember hearing the wind direction or its velocity. He did perform a left cross wind landing, but as he touched the runway the airplane "weather vaned to the left." The subsequent ground loop damaged the right wing tip and dorsal fin. The pilot stated in his written statement that the surface winds were in excess of 30 knots from his left rear. He said the flags at the terminal were flying straight out. The official recorded winds for Gillette-Campbell County Airport at 1755 were clear skies with winds 080 degrees at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7939V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7939V), registered now, S/N 18051839, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180H - Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18051839 - Airframe hours: 5977 - Engines: Continental O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David D. Tredway - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 1999, 28 hours before - Departed: HVR, HAVRE, MT - Destination: GCC - Airport: GCC, Gillette-Campbell County, runway 16, 7,500 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GCC ## 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 19990813047399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990813047399A), Aug 13, 1999: Cessna 180H, Gillette, WY, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot said he called the tower for airport advisories when he was 10 to 12 miles north of the airport. He was given a straight in to runway 16, but he… ## Other investigations on N7939V (3) 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 ANC90LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA087), Jun 11, 1990: Cessna 180 (N7939V), Deshka River, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. - [NTSB ANC76AA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76AA031), Sep 8, 1975: Cessna 180 (N7939V), Yakutat, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC67A0064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC67A0064), Jun 19, 1967: Cessna 180H (N7939V), Yakutat, AK, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.