# NTSB ERA13CA141: Cessna 180, N9411C, Halifax, NC, February 20, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 20, 2013, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Halifax, NC - Coordinates: 36.329723, -77.635276 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3297&lon=-77.6353&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 7, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86282 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86282/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86282 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA141 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, after landing with a 90-degree crosswind at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots, the wind lifted the left wing, and the airplane "skipped" to the right about three or four times before the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest 180 degrees from the runway heading. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage landing gear bulkhead assembly, landing gear attachment angle, and the left wing strut attachment angle. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane first touched down between the centerline and the left edge of the runway. The airplane bounced a minimum of four times with each bounce progressively closer to the left edge of the runway. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, after landing on runway 20 with a ninety degree crosswind and a seven knot gust, the wind lifted the left wing and the airplane "skipped" to the right about three or four times before the left main landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest 180 degrees from runway heading. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane first touched down between the centerline and the left edge of runway 20. The airplane bounced a minimum of four times with each bounce progressively closer to the left edge of the runway. The tracks indicate travel back towards the runway centerline and the airplane spinning to the right. Four gouges in the runway indicate two marks from the left main landing gear rim and two marks from the airplane propeller. The left main landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest on the left wing tip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage landing gear bulkhead assembly, landing gear attachment angle, and to the left wing strut attachment angle. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9411C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9411C-2024-11-23), registration cancelled 2024-11-23, S/N 31809, built 1955 (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: 31809 - Airframe hours: 5182 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stephenson James E - Registered owner: Stephenson James E - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 78NC, Varina, NC - Destination: IXA, Roanoke Rapids, NC - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: IXA, Halifax-Northampton Regional, runway 20, 5,500 × 101 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 9, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 527 total, 65 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 10 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: IXA ## 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 20130220001489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130220001489A), Feb 20, 2013: Cessna 180, Halifax, NC, Substantial damage. Pilot was landing the aircraft on runway 20 with a crosswind from the right and touched down left of centerline. Tire tracks indicate the aircraft bounced a… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 6, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86282. 5.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 725 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394159&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot statement to FAA. (item 2, .PDF, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388101&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20statement%20to%20FAA.-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Left MLG folded forward. (item 3, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388102&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Left%20MLG%20folded%20forward.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Left MLG attachment point damage. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388103&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Left%20MLG%20attachment%20point%20damage.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3: Damage to the left wing. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388104&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Damage%20to%20the%20left%20wing.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Airport information. (item 6, .PDF, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388144&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20information.-Master.PDF - Weather information. (item 7, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388145&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20information.-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.