# NTSB GAA17CA339: Cessna 180, N71MH, Belmar, NJ, June 11, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 11, 2017, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Belmar, NJ - Coordinates: 40.185001, -74.122222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1850&lon=-74.1222&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 April 8, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95369 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA339 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95369/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95369 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA339 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind 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 180K, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072624), [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 180K, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing and as the left main landing gear (MLG) touched down, the airplane encountered a wind gust and then veered "abruptly" left. He added that, as the right MLG touched down, the airplane "began skidding to the left," and the right MLG collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest on the left side of the runway and nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. 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 reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 32. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing as the left main gear touched down, a wind gust veered the airplane "abruptly" to the left. He added that as the right gear touched down, the airplane "began skidding to the left", and the right main landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest on the left side of the runway, nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. 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 on the accident airport reported, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot landed on runway 32. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N71MH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71MH), registered now, S/N 18052965, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (K) - Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052965 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 5722.5 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-550-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 2017 - Departed: BLM, Belmar, NJ - Destination: BLM, Belmar, NJ - Airport: BLM, Monmouth Executive, runway 32, 7,371 × 85 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 10, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,132 total, 681 in this make and model, 1,071 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: BLM ## 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 20170611009319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170611009319A), Jun 11, 2017: Cessna 180K, Farmingdale, NJ, Substantial damage. Aircraft was landing on runway 27 at kblm. Upon touchdown the right wheel skidded for aproximately 75 feet. Until the end of the right skid mark, there was no… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 6, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95369. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 771 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454628&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 669 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454629&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.