# NTSB GAA16CA478: Cessna 180, N451SW, Clemson, SC, September 5, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 5, 2016, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Clemson, SC - Coordinates: 34.672222, -82.885833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6722&lon=-82.8858&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93997 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA478 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93997/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93997 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA478 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of 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. - [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 180C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 180C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Cessna 180C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Cessna 180C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 180C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, prior to the takeoff roll he applied one notch of flaps and added power. He reported that just before rotation the airplane veered to the left and he could not keep the airplane on the runway. He reported that he aborted the takeoff, applied the brakes and the airplane exited the runway to the left and impacted a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar and ribs. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane during the preflight that would have prevented the normal flight operations. The meteorological aerodrome report at the accident airport reported that the wind was out of 100 degrees true at 04 knots at the time of the accident. The pilot departed runway 25. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, prior to the takeoff roll he applied one notch of flaps and added power. He reported that just before rotation the airplane veered to the left and he could not keep the airplane on the runway. He reported that he aborted the takeoff, applied the brakes and the airplane exited the runway to the left and impacted a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar and ribs. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane during the preflight that would have prevented the normal flight operations. The meteorological aerodrome report at the accident airport reported that the wind was out of 100 degrees true at 04 knots at the time of the accident. The pilot departed runway 25. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N451SW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N451SW), registered now, S/N 50885, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (C) - Registry model: [Cessna 180C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180c) (registry code 2072608) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 50885 - Year built: 1960 - Airframe hours: 3888.4 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 14, 2016 - Departed: CEU, Clemson, SC - Destination: 3VG9, South Boston, VA - Airport: CEU, Oconee County Rgnl, runway 25, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 286 total, 4 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KCEU ## 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 20160905015929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160905015929A), Sep 5, 2016: Cessna 180C, Clemson, SC, Substantial damage. On 09/05/2016 1730 z time aircraft N451SW a CE-180 ran off the side of the runway during attempted takeoff at Clemson, SC (ceu) with 1 POB, no injuries and no… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 6, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93997. 860 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 262 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458996&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 598 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447076&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%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.