# NTSB FTW95LA269: Cessna 180E, N8676X, Springdale, AR, July 5, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 1995, 19:45 local (Jul 5, 1995, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Springdale, AR - Location: 36.1764° N, 94.1192° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SPRINGDALE MUNI (ASG), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1764&lon=-94.1192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19476 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA269 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19476/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA269 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE THE CROSSWIND, AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER WEATHER EVALUATION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRPLANE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON RUNWAY 18 WITH A CROSSWIND FROM 290 AT 19 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 37. THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED AND THE LEFT WING SPAR WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE WING IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE PILOT HAD DEPARTED THE AIRPORT WITH FOUR PARACHUTIST FOR A LOCAL PARACHUTE JUMPING FLIGHT. THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO ABORT THE JUMP MISSION AND RETURN TO THE AIRPORT DUE TO THE PREVAILING HIGH WINDS IN THE AREA. THE PILOT'S WEATHER EVALUATION PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT WAS BASED ON LOCAL REPORTS AND FORECASTS RECEIVED BY TELEVISION, WHICH INDICATED THAT A 'STORM' WAS APPROACHING. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 1995, at 1945 central daylight time, a Cessna 180E, N8676X, sustained substantial damage while landing near Springdale, Arkansas. The private pilot and his four passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the parachute jumping flight. In the enclosed narrative history of the flight, the pilot stated that "the wind abruptly changed from approximately 220 to 270 degrees creating a strong crosswind causing the airplane to ground loop." Winds at Fayetteville, 11 miles south, were from 290 degrees at 19, gusting to 37 knots. Runway 18 was in use at the time of the accident. The pilot reported wind was from 270 degrees "creating a strong crosswind." In his enclosed report, he stated that he received his weather information from television and that a "storm was moving in." According to the operator, the flight returned to the initial point of departure after aborting a parachute jumping exercise due to high winds in the area. The left wing spar was damaged and the airplane came to rest in the inverted position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8676X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8676X), registered now, S/N 18051076, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180E - Registry model: [Cessna 180E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180e) (registry code 2072612) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18051076 - Airframe hours: 2530 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Collier, Kenneth R. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1995, 14 hours before - Departed: ASG - Airport: ASG, Springdale Municipal, runway 18, 5,400 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,526 total, 289 in this make and model, 1,526 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 19 knots, gusting 37 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FYV, 11 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 19950704016169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950704016169A), Jul 4, 1995: Cessna 180E, Springdale, AR, Substantial damage. Lost control landing severe crosswind ground looped. Had aborted jump flight due wind. Exceeded crosswind component ## Other investigations on N8676X (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 FTW04CA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04CA181), Jul 8, 2004: Cessna 180E (N8676X), Weiner, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's poor preflight preparation/planning which resulted in the pilot landing at a wrong airport. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the off airport landing. 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.