# NTSB ERA13CA216: Cessna 180, N180VW, Bethel, ME, April 28, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 28, 2013, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Bethel, ME - Coordinates: 44.425277, -70.809997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4253&lon=-70.8100&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 29, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86745 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA216 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86745/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86745 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA216 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 64 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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) ## 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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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, he applied left aileron on the final approach leg to counteract a left crosswind. The crosswind then ceased, at which point the pilot backed off the aileron input. As the tailwheel-equipped airplane touched down, it encountered another crosswind, and the pilot again applied left aileron to counteract it; however, the left wing and left main landing gear became airborne and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The pilot then “rode” the right brake, and the airplane continued to the right until the left wing came down and the left main landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. The reported wind at a nearby airport about the time of the accident, was variable at 5 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he applied left aileron to his tailwheel-equipped airplane on the final approach leg to counteract a left crosswind. The crosswind then ceased, at which point the pilot backed off the aileron input. As the airplane was touching down, it encountered another crosswind and the pilot again applied left aileron to counteract it; however, the left wing and left main landing gear became airborne and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The pilot then “rode” the right brake and the airplane continued to the right until the left wing came down and the left main landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. Winds, recorded at a nearby airport about the time of the accident, were variable at 5 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N180VW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N180VW), registered now, S/N 32005, 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: 32005 - Airframe hours: 3554 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Two LLC - Registered owner: Two LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2012, 43 hours before - Departed: 81B, Oxford, ME - Destination: 0B1, Bethel, ME - Airport: 0B1, Bethel Regional Airport, runway 32, 3,818 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 13, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total, 80 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: BML, 18 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 20130428008999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130428008999A), Apr 28, 2013: Cessna 180, Bethel, ME, Substantial damage. Pilot reported that upon landing, lost crosswind and then returned causing aircraft to go off runway. Upon investigation of the aircraft, found left gear… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 20, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86745. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 409 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392183&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Weather (item 2, .PDF, 147 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392316&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Weather-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392325&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Picture of Airplane at Accident Site (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 284 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392312&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Picture%20of%20Airplane%20at%20Accident%20Site%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Picture of Airplane Wing at Accident Site (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 271 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392314&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Picture%20of%20Airplane%20Wing%20at%20Accident%20Site%20(Courtesy%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.