# NTSB ERA12LA016: Cessna 180J, N180RN, Norfolk, VA, October 5, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 5, 2011, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Norfolk, VA - Coordinates: 36.782775, -76.447219 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7828&lon=-76.4472&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 January 18, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Richmond FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82016 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82016/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82016 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA016 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during takeoff for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (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) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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-rejected 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) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, as he started to taxi onto the runway, the airplane was difficult to turn. He thought that the tailwheel had not locked into position so he lined up on the center line of the runway and pulled forward to give the tailwheel time to lock into position. He then initiated the takeoff roll and lifted the tail as the airspeed increased. The airplane then pulled to the left, and the pilot applied right rudder, but the left main landing gear went off the left side of the runway. He immediately applied the brakes and reduced power to abort the takeoff; however, the airplane turned 90 degrees, struck a ditch, and the right main landing gear separated from the airplane. A postaccident examination of the brake system revealed no anomalies; however, the brakes could not be tested because the hydraulic system was breached. A nut was found separated from a right main landing gear attach bolt after the accident, but the investigation was unable to determine if the separated nut contributed to the airplane veering to the left during takeoff. ## Factual narrative On October 5, 2011, at 1700 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 180J, N180RN, registered to a private owner, departed the left side of the runway and collided with a ditch during takeoff roll at Hampton Roads Executive Airport (PVG), Norfolk, Virginia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the airframe. The certificate private pilot was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he completed an engine run-up prior to taxiing into position on the runway. As he started to taxi onto the runway, he noticed the airplane was hard to turn. He thought the tail wheel had not locked into position and continued the turn. He lined up on the center line of the runway, pulling forward to give the tail wheel time to lock into position. He then applied full power to initiate the takeoff roll. He lifted the tail up as the airspeed increased and the airplane pulled to the left. He thought the left brake was dragging, and told himself, "get off the brakes," and realized his foot was not on the brakes. He attempted to straighten the nose out with rudder, but the left main landing gear went off the left side of the runway. He immediately applied brakes and reduced power. The airplane turned 90- degrees off the left side of the runway and was heading towards a ditch. The airplane collided with the ditch before he could stop. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, both brakes appeared to be in good condition, and free to turn. The brakes pads had been replaced during the last annual inspection on December 3, 2010, and had accumulated 36 hours since installation. The brake hydraulic system could not be checked by the FAA due to the brake hydraulic system being breached after the right main landing gear separated. Further examination of the brake system by a mechanic, at an authorized FAA repair station, revealed mud was packed around the axle, brake disc, and cylinder. The mud and debris was removed and the wheel was free to move with a slight drag. No anomalies were noted with the brake wheel cylinder guide pins. The repair station stated in a subsequent email, “Attached please find a photo of the nut and washer that presumably came from the right main gear bolt on N180RN. Obviously it was not attached as the threads are dirty which would be consistent with a nut that was not attached to a bolt. This nut and washer were found in the belly/gearbox area”. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N180RN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N180RN), registered now, S/N 18052561, built 1975 (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: 18052561 - Airframe hours: 3498 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470S 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Crider Michael A - Registered owner: Crider Michael A - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 2010, 37 hours before - Departed: PVG, Norfolk, VA - Destination: ECG, Elizabeth City, NC - Airport: PVG, Hampton Rds Executive Airport, runway 02, 3,525 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 5, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total, 38 in this make and model, 390 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: CPK, 9 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 20111005022179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111005022179A), Oct 5, 2011: Cessna 180J, Chesapeake, VA, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control on takeoff roll and struck a drainage ditch. ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 8, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82016. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 320 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356789&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355654&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Repair Station Statement (item 3, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356226&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Repair%20Station%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Haggerstown Aircraft Services Inc E Mail (item 4, .PDF, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357203&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Haggerstown%20Aircraft%20Services%20Inc%20E%20Mail-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Flight Review (item 5, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356790&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Flight%20Review-Redacted.PDF - Extract Airplane Logbooks (item 6, .PDF, 362 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355655&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Extract%20Airplane%20Logbooks-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 View of airplane in ditch. Photo FAA (item 7, .PDF, 399 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355377&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20View%20of%20airplane%20in%20ditch.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 2 View of left side of airplane after recovery. Photo FAA (item 8, .PDF, 915 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355378&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20View%20of%20left%20side%20of%20airplane%20after%20recovery.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 3 View of airplane right side after recovery. Photo FAA (item 9, .PDF, 966 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355379&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20View%20of%20airplane%20right%20side%20after%20recovery.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 4 View of Gear nut and washer found in belly gear box. Photo Repair Station (item 10, .PDF, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359390&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20View%20of%20Gear%20nut%20and%20washer%20found%20in%20belly%20gear%20box.%20Photo%20Repair%20Station-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.