# NTSB GAA17CA154: Cessna 180, N123GT, Bally, PA, February 19, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 19, 2017, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Bally, PA
- Coordinates: 40.396945, -75.562774 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3969&lon=-75.5628&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: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 10, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94767
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94767/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94767
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA154

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in crosswind conditions.

## 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 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 · Not attained/maintained (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)
- [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)
- [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)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072618), [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 180H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072618), [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 180H, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff, the airplane encountered a wind gust and veered to the left. He corrected with right rudder and left aileron, and the airplane veered to the right. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway to the right, the left main landing gear sheared off, and the airplane impacted two trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and left wing. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of local weather at the airfield about the time of the accident showed the wind was 300° at 10 knots. The pilot was departing on runway 34.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during takeoff the airplane encountered a gust of wind and veered to the left. He corrected with right rudder and left aileron, and the airplane veered to the right. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway to the right, the left main landing gear sheared off, and the airplane impacted two trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage and left wing. The pilot reported there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of local weather on the airfield about the time of the accident showed, the wind was 300° at 10 knots. The pilot was departing on runway 34.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123GT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123GT-2018-07-12), registration cancelled 2018-07-12, S/N 18051689, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (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: 18051689
- Year built: 1966
- Airframe hours: 2673.94
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 19, 2016
- Departed: 7N8, Bally, PA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: 7N8, Butter Valley Golf Port, runway 34, 2,420 × 85 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 14, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 2,792 total, 843 in this make and model, 2,540 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observed at: KPTW

## 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 20170219006549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170219006549A), Feb 19, 2017: Cessna 180H, Barto, PA, Substantial damage. Aircraft departure from runway 34 for personbal flight with 4 persons aboard. Pilot[privacy data omitted] stated that during the takeoff from runway 34 a wind…

## Other investigations on N123GT (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 NYC06CA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA183), Feb 26, 2006: Cessna 180H (N123GT), Blue Bell, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing flare, which resulted in the right wing contacting the runway. A factor was the crosswind.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94767. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 667 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450338&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 594 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450339&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.

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