# NTSB FTW97LA143: Cessna 180D, N6484X, Erie, CO, March 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 27, 1997, 08:55 local (15:55 UTC) - Place: Erie, CO - Coordinates: 40.01902, -105.039398 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0190&lon=-105.0394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20185 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20185/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA143 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane directional control. A factor was the crosswind. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The pilot said the wind increased from 'calm to light, favoring runway 33' as he preflighted his airplane, to 330 degrees 28 knots as he began the takeoff roll. When he raised the tail the airplane swerved to the left, but he was able to realign the airplane with the runway. The left wing rose and the pilot applied full left aileron but to no avail. The airplane curved to the right, exited the runway and nosed over. When the pilot exited the airplane, the windsock indicated the wind to be variable between 300 and 330 degrees at 28 knots. ## Factual narrative On March 27, 1997, approximately 0855 mountain standard time, a Cessna 180D, N6484X, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during an attempted takeoff at Erie, Colorado. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot indicated he planned to air file a VFR flight plan for the personal flight to be conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot said that the wind was "calm to light, favoring runway 33." As he began to taxi, the wind increased and was reported to be from 330 degrees at 15 knots. By the time he reached the parallel taxiway at midfield, the wind had increased to 20 knots. During the engine runup, the wind increased to 28 knots. As the pilot aligned the airplane for takeoff on runway 33, he checked the windsock to make sure the wind was down the runway, then began the takeoff roll. When he raised the tail, the airplane swerved to the left. He applied right rudder and brake and a slight amount of left aileron. As the airplane realigned with the runway heading, the left wing rose. The pilot applied additional left aileron until it was fully deflected. The wing continued to rise. Witnesses told the pilot the right wing tip was dragging on the runway. The airplane curved to the right, went off the east side of the runway, and nosed over. The pilot said when he exited the airplane, the windsock indicated the wind was varying between 300 to 330 degrees at 28 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6484X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6484X), registered now, S/N 18050984, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180D - Registry model: [Cessna 180D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180d) (registry code 2072610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18050984 - Airframe hours: 3040 - Engines: Continental O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William S. Moore - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1996, 23 hours before - Destination: RYN, TUCSON, AZ - Airport: 48V, Tri-County, runway 33, 4,700 × 60 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 833 total, 24 in this make and model, 701 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 25 knots - Visibility: 75 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BJC, 9 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 19970327003869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970327003869A), Mar 27, 1997: Cessna 180D, Erie, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost control on takeoff and flipped over, winds were gusty. ## Other investigations on N6484X (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 ERA21LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA037), Nov 3, 2020: Cessna 180 (N6484X), Warrenton, GA, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to attain the proper touchdown point which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with trees. 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.