# NTSB FTW96LA296: Cessna 180J, N46524, Mountain Home, AR, July 8, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1996, 14:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Mountain Home, AR
- Coordinates: 36.330726, -92.369506 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3307&lon=-92.3695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19901
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA296
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19901/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA296

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.  A factor was the cross wind.

## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was landing on runway 23 with a cross wind estimated at 110 degrees at 10 knots with gust of approximately 16 knots.  The aircraft 'swerved' and departed the left side of the runway approximately 45 degrees offset from runway heading.  During the 'sudden' departure from runway heading, the right main gear collapsed and the outboard third of the right wing was structurally damaged.

## Factual narrative

On July 8, 1996, at 1405 central daylight time, a Cessna 180J, N46524, registered to a private owner and operated by a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was substantially damaged during landing near Mountain Home, Arkansas.  The commercial pilot and his one passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight that originated at Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1 hour and 5 minutes before the accident.  No flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported to the investigator-in-charge that he was landing on runway 23 with a cross wind estimated at 110 degrees at 10 knots with gust of approximately 16 knots.  He further reported that the aircraft "swerved" and departed the left side of the runway approximately 45 degrees offset from runway heading.  He reported that during the "sudden" departure from runway heading, the right main gear collapsed and the outboard third of the right wing was structurally damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46524](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46524), registered now, S/N 18052424, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 180J
- Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052424
- Airframe hours: 2480
- Engines: Continental O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Collier Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 1996, 31 hours before
- Departed: WAP, FAYETTEVILLE, AR
- Destination: BPK
- Airport: BPK, Baxter County Regional, runway 23, 5,001 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,508 total, 23 in this make and model, 940 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HRO, 27 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 19960708016189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960708016189A), Jul 8, 1996: Cessna 180J, Mountain Home, AR, Substantial damage. Pilot lost direcxtional control of aircraft on landing due to a crosswind, ground looped. (-23) no narrative.

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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