# NTSB GAA17CA547: Cessna 180, N180SA, Albuquerque, NM, September 21, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 21, 2017, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.145557, -106.800552 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1456&lon=-106.8006&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96055 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA547 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96055/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96055 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA547 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll in gusting crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [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: 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, with the tailwheel raised, a wind gust from the right lifted the right wing. The pilot overcorrected with right aileron control, and the right wing and horizontal stabilizer contacted the runway surface. The airplane subsequently veered off the runway to the left and came to a stop. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located on the airport reported that, about 13 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 220° at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots. About 13 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 200° at 8 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot landed on runway 22. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, with the tailwheel raised, a gust of wind from the right lifted the right wing. The pilot over corrected with right aileron control, and the right wing and horizontal stabilizer contacted the runway surface. The airplane subsequently veered off the runway to the left and came to a stop. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located on the airport reported, about 13 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 220° at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots. About 13 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 200° at 8 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot landed on runway 22. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N180SA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N180SA), registered now, S/N 18051903 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (H) - Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18051903 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 5676.9 - Engines: Continental 180H 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 2017 - Departed: AEG, Albuquerque, NM - Destination: RCE, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: AEG, Double Eagle II, runway 22, 7,398 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 24, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 648 total, 201 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KAEG ## 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 20170921011459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170921011459A), Sep 21, 2017: Cessna 180H, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. On September 21, 2017, at 1313 MST, a Cessna 180H, N180SA, registered to the pilot, departed the runway during take-off from Double Eagle II aiport,… ## Other investigations on N180SA (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 GAA15CA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA112), Jun 6, 2015: Cessna 180 (N180SA), Vichey, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 15, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96055. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 947 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460852&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460853&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.