# NTSB FTW85LA187: Cessna 180H, N9054M, Midland, TX, April 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1985, 17:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Midland, TX
- Location: 32.0365° N, 102.1015° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MIDLAND AIRPARK (MDD), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0365&lon=-102.1015&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA187

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE 108 HOUR PVT PLT HAD BEEN CHECKED OUT IN THE TAILDRAGGER ON THE DAY PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT. RETURNING FROM A LOCAL FLT, THE PLT REPORTED, HE LOST CONTROL DURING THE LANDING WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED A GUSTING X-WIND. THE WHEEL ASS'Y FAILED IN THE SUBSEQUENT SKIDDING OVERLOAD AND THE STRUT DUG INTO THE ASPHALT. THE ACFT ROLLED UP ON THE LEFT WING AND NOSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9054M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9054M), registered now, S/N 18052154, built 1970 (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: 18052154
- Airframe hours: 1179
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Phillips, Thomas, Cardwell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1984, 28 hours before
- Airport: MDD, Midland, runway 16, 3,975 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 108 total, 19 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 16 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAF, 6 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 19850417013279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850417013279A), Apr 17, 1985: Cessna 180H, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. Ground looped with crosswind gust. Wheel bolts sheared and aircraft nosed onto propeller and wingtip.

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.

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