# NTSB GAA15CA275: Cessna 180, N4673A, McCall, ID, September 24, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 24, 2015, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: McCall, ID - Coordinates: 45.129165, -115.323059 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1292&lon=-115.3231&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92053 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA275 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92053/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92053 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA275 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive application of brake pressure during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue the landing after noting he was high on final approach. ## 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 180, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he planned to land at a mountain airport that is situated in a valley. He overflew the airport and observed the windsock, which indicated the wind was out the north and then entered the left downwind for runway 19, which has an uphill slope. While on downwind, the airport became obscured by terrain, and then became visible again at the end of the base leg. The pilot reported that when he turned final, he saw that he was high, reduced engine power to idle and increased the flap setting to 40 degrees. The airplane touched down at a higher than normal airspeed and bounced once. The pilot applied the brakes and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported he estimated there was 150 yards of runway remaining from where the airplane came to rest, the usable runway is 3,550 feet long. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, right wing strut, rudder, vertical stabilizer. The Airport Facilities Directory (AFD) recommends landing to the south and taking off to the north when wind allows. The pilot reported that he estimated he landed with a 10 to 15 knot tailwind. The pilot stated that he should have gone around, but believed he could stop on the remaining runway due to the uphill slope. The pilot also reported that he should have flown a stabilized approach and immediately gone around when he saw he was too high on final to safely land. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he planned to land at a mountain airport that is situated in a valley. He overflew the airport and observed the windsock, which indicated the wind was out the north and then entered the left downwind for runway 19, which has an uphill slope. While on downwind, the airport became obscured by terrain, and then became visible again at the end of the base leg. The pilot reported that when he turned final, he saw that he was high, reduced engine power to idle and increased the flap setting to 40 degrees. The airplane touched down at a higher than normal airspeed and bounced once. The pilot applied the brakes and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported he estimated there was 150 yards of runway remaining from where the airplane came to rest, the usable runway is 3,550 feet long. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, right wing strut, rudder, vertical stabilizer. The Airport Facilities Directory (AFD) recommends landing to the south and taking off to the north when wind allows. The pilot reported that he estimated he landed with a 10 to 15 knot tailwind. The pilot stated that he should have gone around, but believed he could stop on the remaining runway due to the uphill slope. The pilot also reported that he should have flown a stabilized approach and immediately gone around when he saw he was too high on final to safely land. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4673A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4673A-2016-01-20), registration cancelled 2016-01-20, S/N 32270, built 1956 (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: 180-32270 - Year built: 1956 - Airframe hours: 7396 - Engines: CONTINENTAL MOTORS O-470-R78R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 2014 - Departed: ID40, MARSING, ID - Destination: U60, McCall, ID - Airport: U60, Big Creek, runway 19, 3,550 × 110 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 13, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,211 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 4,112 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KMYL, 36 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 20150924015369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150924015369A), Sep 24, 2015: Cessna 180, Yellow Pine, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot was landing on runway 19 with a estimated tail wind of 10-15 knots. Aircraft touched down fast and bounced once. Pilot applied brakes to stop aircraft… ## Other investigations on N4673A (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 ANC70D0047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC70D0047), Aug 2, 1969: Cessna 180 (N4673A), Tanana, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 15, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92053. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432674&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432675&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.