# NTSB FTW98LA077: Cessna 180J, N121KS, Fort Worth, TX, December 28, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 28, 1997, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Fort Worth, TX - Coordinates: 32.820655, -97.360656 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8207&lon=-97.3607&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20502 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20502/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA077 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision, by allowing the airplane to get in a situation, where he could not compensate for wind conditions. A related factor was the gusty crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - not possible - Nose over, taxi ## Analysis As the tailwheel-equipped airplane was being taxied toward the centerline of runway 34R, it turned to the left, nosed down, and came to rest balanced on the left main landing gear, the left wing tip, and the propeller spinner. According to the pilot, the left turn was due to a wind gust that 'hit the airplane and spun it counterclockwise.' Following the nose down, the pilot got out of the airplane and attempted to hold the airplane; however, the wind blew the airplane over onto its back. The pilot indicated that the winds at the time of the accident were from 280 to 310 degrees at approximately 20 to 25 knots with gusts to 30 knots. At 1353, seven minutes prior to the accident, the recorded winds at the airport were from a true heading of 300 degrees at 24 knots with gusts to 31 knots. The crosswind component for a takeoff on runway 34R (true heading 352 degrees) with a wind from 300 degrees at 30 knots was calculated to be 23 knots. According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook, the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity for the airplane was 12 knots. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by 'selection of runway that more aligns with current winds.' ## Factual narrative On December 28, 1997, at 1400 central standard time, a Cessna 180J tailwheel-equipped airplane, N121KS, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it nosed over while taxiing for takeoff on runway 34R at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport, Texas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal cross country flight which was originating at the time of the accident. During a telephone interview, conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that prior to contacting ground control, he listened to the ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service) which indicated that the winds were from the northwest at 15 to 25 knots. The pilot further reported that he was concerned about the wind and requested to takeoff from the intersection of taxiway D and runway 34R. He was cleared for takeoff from the intersection and taxied toward the centerline of the runway. At this point, a wind gust "hit the airplane and spun it counterclockwise." The airplane nosed down and came to rest balanced on the left main landing gear, the left wing tip, and the propeller spinner. The pilot got out of the airplane and attempted to hold the airplane; however, the wind blew the airplane over onto its back. The pilot, who holds an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate, reported that both wings, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder sustained structural damage. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot indicated that the winds at the time of the accident were from 280 to 310 degrees at approximately 20 to 25 knots with gusts to 30 knots. At 1353, seven minutes prior to the accident, the recorded winds at the airport were from a true heading of 300 degrees at 24 knots with gusts to 31 knots. The crosswind component for a takeoff on runway 34R (true heading 352 degrees) with a wind from 300 degrees at 30 knots was calculated at 23 knots. According to the Cessna 180J Pilot's Operating Handbook, the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity for the airplane was 12 knots. In the section of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report entitled "Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented)," the pilot wrote, "selection of runway that more aligns with current winds." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N121KS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N121KS), registered now, S/N 18052683, built 1976 (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: 18052683 - Airframe hours: 2200 - Engines: Continental O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Don H. Montgomery - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1997, 10 hours before - Departed: FTW - Destination: 48TX, WHITEWRIGHT, TX - Airport: FTW, Fort Worth Meacham Intl, runway 34R, 7,501 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 200 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 24 knots, gusting 31 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,300 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FTW ## 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 19971228041039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971228041039A), Dec 28, 1997: Cessna 180J, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Weathervaned into crosswind taking. Runway. Elected turn around. Was blown over. (.19) taxiing into position on runway 180. Was blown over by strong wind gust.… 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.