# NTSB GAA17CA231: Cessna 180, N2144Z, Kenai, AK, April 12, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 11, 2017, 18:00 local (Apr 12, 2017, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Kenai, AK
- Coordinates: 60.572776, -151.246673 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5728&lon=-151.2467&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 20, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95000
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95000/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95000
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA231

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with 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 180F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072614), [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 180F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072614), [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 180F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072614), [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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180F, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072614), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 180F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072614), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Cessna 180F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2072614), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 180F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072614), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during landing and as the tailwheel was settling on the runway, there was an "apparent change in wind direction," and the airplane veered left. He attempted to correct by applying right rudder and brake, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway and ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, the right horizontal stabilizer, and the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported that the was wind from 300° at 9 knots. The pilot landed on runway 2L.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during landing as the tailwheel was settling on the runway, there was an "apparent change in wind direction" and the airplane veered left. He attempted to apply correction with right rudder and right brake, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway and ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, the right horizontal stabilizer and the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system on the accident airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 300° at 9 knots. The pilot landed on runway 2L.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2144Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2144Z), registered now, S/N 18051244, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (F)
- Registry model: [Cessna 180F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180f) (registry code 2072614) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520-H](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-h) (registry code 17252, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051244
- Year built: 1963
- Airframe hours: 4710
- Engines: Continental O-470-50 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 2016
- Departed: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: ENA, Kenai, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ENA, Kenai Muni, runway 2L, 7,855 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 2, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 414 total, 35.5 in this make and model, 323 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.36 inHg
- Observed at: PAEN

## 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 20170411005719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170411005719A), Apr 11, 2017: Cessna 180F, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. On landing rollout a sudden gust of wind pushed the aircraft to the side of the runway, the aircraft exited the pavement into the grass/dirt then ground looped…

## Other investigations on N2144Z (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 ANC76DAG43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAG43), Sep 23, 1975: Cessna 180 (N2144Z), Nondalton, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 22, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95000. 1.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 719 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452329&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 664 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452330&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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