# NTSB FTW98LA277: Cessna 180, N3196D, Albuquerque, NM, June 20, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 19, 1998, 18:40 local (Jun 20, 1998, 00:40 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Location: 35.0845° N, 106.6511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Albuquerque, NM, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0845&lon=-106.6511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20656 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA277 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20656/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA277 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during landing roll. A factor was crosswind. ## 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) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - performed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis While landing on a dirt road to fuel the aircraft at a service station, the pilot lost control of the aircraft during landing roll and the aircraft performed a ground loop causing damage to the right wing, right horizontal stabilizer, main landing gear, propeller, and cowl. The pilot said he landed often on the road to fuel his aircraft, but on this occasion he said he failed to correct for the crosswind which was 15 to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 1998, at 1840 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180, N3196D, sustained substantial damage during landing roll on a dirt road approximately 30 miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The airline transport certificated pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The flight was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this personal flight which originated at Valencia, New Mexico. According to the pilot, he was landing on a dirt road to buy fuel at a service station and lost control of the aircraft during the landing roll. The right wing, right horizontal stabilizer, main landing gear, propeller, and cowl were deformed when, according to the pilot, he allowed the aircraft to ground loop. The pilot related to the FAA inspector, who went to the scene, that he often stopped at that service station for fuel, but on this occasion he said he failed to correct for the crosswind which was 15 to 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3196D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3196D-2013-04-17), registration cancelled 2013-04-17, S/N 31994, 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: 31994 - Airframe hours: 3785 - Engines: Continental O-470-J1CR 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eric R. Trigg - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1998, 69 hours before - Departed: NONE, VALENCIA, NM - Destination: ABQ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,500 total, 12,400 as pilot in command, 171 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 13 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ABQ, 30 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 19980619035369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980619035369A), Jun 19, 1998: Cessna 180, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. On June 19, 1998, at 1850 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180, N3196D, sustained substantial damage during landing roll on a dirt road approximately 30 miles… ## Other investigations on N3196D (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 DEN07CA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA121), Jul 14, 2007: Cessna 180 (N3196D), Marble, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot misjudging his altitude and his failure to maintain control of the airplane, resulting in a hard landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the excessive descent rate, and the… 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.