# NTSB FTW99LA043: Cessna 180, N1774C, Springdale, AR, December 3, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 3, 1998, 16:58 local (22:58 UTC) - Place: Springdale, AR - Coordinates: 36.179393, -94.139755 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1794&lon=-94.1398&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45417 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45417/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA043 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing resulting in a ground loop. A factor was the pilot's improper landing flare. ## 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 - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The private pilot lost control of the tailwheel equipped airplane during the landing roll on runway 18. Personnel at the control tower reported that the aircraft ground looped after the pilot lost directional control of the airplane after the airplane bounced. The pilot stated that the airplane bounced on touchdown and after it settled back on the runway, the airplane began a sharp left turn toward the edge of the runway. Subsequently, the right wing struck the ground and the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position on the east side of the runway. The winds at the time of the accident were reported from 190 degrees at 10 knots. ## Factual narrative On December 3, 1998, at 1658 central standard time, a Cessna 180, tailwheel equipped airplane, N1774C, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing at Springdale, Arkansas. The private pilot and his 2 passengers were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross for which no flight plan was filed. The 194 nautical mile cross country flight originated from the Thompson-Robbins Airport, near Helena, Arkansas, at 1515. According to personnel at the control tower, the aircraft "ground looped after the pilot lost directional control of the airplane" while on the landing roll on runway 18. In a written statement, the pilot reported that "everything seemed normal during the approach until the airplane touched down in a full stall configuration with 20 degrees of flaps." The pilot added that "the airplane bounced on touchdown and after it settled back on the runway, the airplane began a sharp left turn toward the edge of the runway." Subsequently, the right wing struck the ground and the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position on the east side of the runway. The winds at the time of the accident were reported from 190 degrees at 10 knots. Examination of the airplane by personnel at the airport revealed that the left wing strut and the vertical stabilizer sustained structural damage. The FAA inspector confirmed the damage and examined the airplane's landing gear brakes and steering mechanism. No defects were found on either systems. The 77 hour private pilot earned his pilot certificate in October 1998, and had accumulated a total of 30 flight hours in this make and model airplane. The passengers were the pilot's wife and their infant child who was strapped to an automotive type child seat. The 1953 vintage airplane was equipped with shoulder harnesses for all occupants. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1774C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1774C), registered now, S/N 30474, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 180-30474 - Airframe hours: 2351 - Engines: Continental O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerry R. Martin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 1998, 73 hours before - Departed: HEE, HELENA, AR - Destination: ASG - Airport: ASG, Springdale Municipal, runway 18, 5,302 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 77 total, 30 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ASG, 1 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 19981203032849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981203032849A), Dec 3, 1998: Cessna 180, Springdale, AR, Substantial damage. Acft left wheel locked up on landing, and the acft flipped over. (-23) during landing roll on runway 18 at asg, directional control of the aircraft was lost.… ## Other investigations on N1774C (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 CHI00LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA233), Aug 1, 2000: Cessna 180 (N1774C), Jeffersonville, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing. A factor associated with the accident was the crosswind. 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.