# NTSB GAA16CA022: Cessna 180H, N9780G, Sioux Falls, SD, October 19, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 19, 2015, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Sioux Falls, SD - Coordinates: 43.576667, -96.735557 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5767&lon=-96.7356&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92206 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92206/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92206 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA022 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land with a 20 knot direct cross wind, which resulted in a loss of directional control and the right wing impacting terrain and a subsequent ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072618), [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 180H, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he received information Papa prior to landing, information Papa was wind 240 degrees at 20 knots, and he was landing on runway 33. He reported that it "occurred" to him that it was a 20 knot direct crosswind. The pilot reported that while landing in crosswind conditions, he was "holding extreme" left aileron to compensate for the crosswind. He reported that as the airplane touched down, a gust lifted the left wing, and he was "unable to keep it down" with aileron control inputs. Subsequently the right wing impacted the runway, and the airplane ground looped. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right aileron. According to the manufacturer, the accident airplane's Owner's Manual does not specify a demonstrated maximum crosswind component, however a similar make and model airplane's Pilot Operating Handbook specifies a maximum demonstrated crosswind component of 12 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he received information Papa prior to landing, information Papa was wind 240 degrees at 20 knots, and he was landing on runway 33. He reported that it "occurred" to him that it was a 20 knot direct crosswind. The pilot reported that while landing in crosswind conditions, he was "holding extreme" left aileron to compensate for the crosswind. He reported that as the airplane touched down, a gust lifted the left wing, and he was "unable to keep it down" with aileron control inputs. Subsequently the right wing impacted the runway, and the airplane ground looped. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right aileron. According to the manufacturer, the accident airplane's Owner's Manual does not specify a demonstrated maximum crosswind component, however a similar make and model airplane's Pilot Operating Handbook specifies a maximum demonstrated crosswind component of 12 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9780G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9780G), registered now, S/N 18052280, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H (H) - Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052280 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 4200 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 2015 - Departed: 9V9, CHAMBERLAIN, SD - Destination: FSD, Sioux Falls, SD - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FSD, Joe Foss Field, runway 33, 8,000 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 20, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,200 total, 350 in this make and model, 1,180 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 7 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.73 inHg - Observed at: KFSD, 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 20151019017399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151019017399A), Oct 19, 2015: Cessna 180H, Sioux Falls, SD, Substantial damage. On his approach to fsd the pilot stated he was directed by fsd ATC to land runway 33. He stated there was 20 knot winds at 230 degrees and on landing a gust of… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 24, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92206. 921 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 665 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435212&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement to FAA (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20to%20FAA%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435214&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%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.