# NTSB GAA15CA059: Cessna 180K, N66048, Pearland, TX, May 1, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 1, 2015, 09:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Pearland, TX - Coordinates: 29.516944, -95.238609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5169&lon=-95.2386&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 8, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91121 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91121/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91121 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA059 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, the tail of the airplane began to lift, and an increasing amount of right rudder was required to maintain directional control and he believed that the airplane was at the beginning stages of a ground loop. The pilot reported that he applied full right rudder with a "stab" of right brake, the airplane stopped going to the left, and the right main wheel "snagged" the edge of a ditch and spun the airplane to the right, which resulted in substantial damage to the right aileron and wing. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, the tail of the airplane began to lift, and an increasing amount of right rudder was required to maintain directional control and he believed that the airplane was at the beginning stages of a ground loop. The pilot reported that he applied full right rudder with a "stab" of right brake, the airplane stopped going to the left, and the right main wheel "snagged" the edge of a ditch and spun the airplane to the right, which resulted in substantial damage to the right aileron and wing. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N66048](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66048-2018-07-12), registration cancelled 2018-07-12, S/N 18052913, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180K (H) - Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052913 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 3633 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wood Denton A. - Registered owner: Wood Denton A. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 2014 - Departed: LVJ, HOUSTON, TX - Destination: RQO, EL RENO, OK - Airport: LVJ, Pearland Rgnl, runway 32, 4,313 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 17, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,701 total, 18 in this make and model, 1,494 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KLVJ ## 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 20150501005629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150501005629A), May 1, 2015: Cessna 180K, Pearland, TX, Substantial damage. Approximately 0920 CST at Pearland Regional Airport (klvj) Pearland, TX a Cessna 180K attempted a takeoff on runway 32. The aircraft departed the east side of… ## Other investigations on N66048 (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 NYC82FFJ08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FFJ08), Nov 15, 1981: Cessna 180K (N66048), Jamestown, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91121. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428562&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Email (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428563&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Email%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Right Aileron (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428564&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Right%20Aileron%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Right Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428565&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Right%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Airplane (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428566&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Airplane%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.