# NTSB FTW98LA230: Cessna 180, N4775B, Abilene, TX, May 15, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 15, 1998, 15:54 local (20:54 UTC) - Place: Abilene, TX - Coordinates: 32.339038, -99.670814 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3390&lon=-99.6708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20615 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20615/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA230 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper compensation for the crosswind conditions resulting in a ground loop. A factor was the crosswind condition. ## 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) - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis During the landing roll on runway 35L, the aircraft ground looped. The pilot reported that during the approach, at about 300 feet, he noticed 'left crosswind gusts.' After normal main wheel contact (wheel landing) the 'aircraft started scooting right while trying to weathervane to the left.' The reported wind condition at the time of the accident was from 290 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 17 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 15, 1998, at 1554 central daylight time, a Cessna 180 tail wheel equipped airplane, N4775B, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during the landing roll at the Abilene Regional Airport, Abilene, Texas. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Lubbock, Texas, about 1 hour 09 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported that during the approach for landing to Runway 35L, at about 300 feet, he noticed "left crosswind gusts. After normal main wheel contact (wheel landing) [the] aircraft started scooting right while trying to weathervane to the left." Subsequently, the aircraft "ground looped." On the enclosed form 6120.1/2, the pilot reported that he had accumulated a total of 471 flight hours, of which 52 were in the accident airplane. Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that the firewall was buckled, and the right main landing gear was damaged. At 1553, the reported wind condition at the Abilene Regional Airport was from 290 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4775B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4775B), registered now, S/N 31673, 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: 31673 - Airframe hours: 2114 - Engines: Continental O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stephen W. Hollabaugh - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1997, 34 hours before - Departed: F82, LUBBOCK, TX - Destination: ABI - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: ABI, Abilene Regional, runway 35L, 7,202 × 150 ft, asphalt ## 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: 471 total, 52 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 13 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABI ## 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 19980515009679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980515009679A), May 15, 1998: Cessna 180, Abilene, TX, Substantial damage. Acft ground looped on landing, Abilene, TX (.4) during landing roll on runway 35L, the aircraft ground looped. The pilot reported that during the approach, at… 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.