# NTSB FTW93LA258: Cessna 180, N4719B, Watkins, CO, September 9, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1993, 14:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Watkins, CO
- Coordinates: 39.750175, -104.600509 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7502&lon=-104.6005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18830
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA258
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18830/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA258

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR SHIFTING WINDS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE WINDS DURING THE INITIAL GROUND ROLL WERE 020 DEGREES TO 040 DEGREES OFF RUNWAY 08 AT 14 KNOTS GUSTING TO 17 KNOTS. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE WINDS SHIFTED  TO 360 DEGREES AT THE TIME THE TAIL CAME OFF THE RUNWAY AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE  CAME TO REST INVERTED AT THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Factual narrative

On September 9, 1993, at approximately 1435 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180, N4719B, sustained substantial damage during the takeoff roll when it encountered variable crosswinds near Watkins, Colorado.  The private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight.

The Pilot/Operator report prepared by the pilot stated that the winds were 020 degrees to 040 degrees off runway 08 at 14 knots gusting to 17 knots.  The pilot further stated that the wind shifted to 360 degrees after the tail was off the runway.  He was not able to maintain control of the airplane and it came to rest inverted on the edge of the runway.  Damage occurred to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, wings, and propeller.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4719B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4719B-2010-08-06), registration cancelled 2010-08-06, S/N 31617, 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: 2072602
- Airframe hours: 1716
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ohmart, Walter A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 1993, 13 hours before
- Airport: FTG, Front Range, runway 8, 8,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,394 total, 191 in this make and model, 1,321 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 14 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930909033739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930909033739A), Sep 9, 1993: Cessna 180, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Windshift on takeoff. Lost directional control. Hard brake used. Nosed over.

## Other investigations on N4719B (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 DEN07FA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07FA157), Sep 12, 2007: Cessna 180 (N4719B), Englewood, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the force landing attempt resulting in a stall-spin and the subsequent impact with the ground. A factor contributing to the accident was…

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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