# NTSB ERA11CA407: Cessna 180J, N9996N, Schlater, MS, July 15, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 15, 2011, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Schlater, MS - Coordinates: 33.641109, -90.292778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6411&lon=-90.2928&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81148 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA407 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81148/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81148 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA407 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was attempting to take off from an airstrip that was primarily used for agricultural airplanes. During takeoff, the airplane veered to the left as the tailwheel lifted off. The pilot corrected by applying right rudder and retarding the throttle, but the airplane departed the runway to the left, impacted a row of corn and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded a normal operation. He said that the accident could have been prevented if he had departed from a larger airport instead of an agricultural airstrip. ## Factual narrative The pilot was attempting to depart from a 2,000-foot-long, 30-foot-wide, turf airstrip that was primarily used for agricultural airplanes. He reported that the airplane veered to the left as the tailwheel lifted off the runway during takeoff. The pilot attempted to correct by applying right rudder and retarding the throttle, but the airplane departed the runway to the left. The airplane continued off the runway and impacted a row of corn. The airplane subsequently came to rest inverted, sustaining substantial damage to the right wing. A postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot added that the wind was light at the time and review of recorded weather data indicated the wind speed was 4 knots. The pilot concluded that the accident could have been prevented if he had departed from a larger airport, instead of an agricultural airstrip. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9996N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9996N), registered now, S/N 18052651 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J - Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052651 - Airframe hours: 3981 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tackett Jimmy K - Registered owner: Tackett Jimmy K - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 2010, 48 hours before - Departed: NONE, Schlater, MS - Destination: NONE, Schlater, MS - Airport: NONE, Sunnyside Airstrip, runway 36, 2,000 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 17, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 288 total, 16 in this make and model, 204 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: GWO, 13 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 20110715014739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110715014739A), Jul 15, 2011: Cessna 180J, Schlater, MS, Substantial damage. On take off, pilot lost directional control. Aircraft left runway and nosed over into corn field. ## Other investigations on N9996N (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 ERA13LA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA257), May 23, 2013: Cessna 180J (N9996N), Greenwood, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 23, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81148. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 432 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351829&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352004&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352109&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo: Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351789&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.