# NTSB GAA19CA489: Cessna 180, N76LG, Two Harbors, MN, August 10, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 10, 2019, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Two Harbors, MN - Coordinates: 47.049167, -91.745277 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0492&lon=-91.7453&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100035 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA489 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100035/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100035 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA489 ## Probable cause The pilot's abrupt maneuver to try and avoid a deer during landing on a grass strip runway, which resulted in a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing roll on a grass strip runway, a deer ran across the runway. She "felt [the deer] was too close [to the airplane] to initiate a go-around," so she applied the brakes hard, and the airplane skidded right and ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the landing roll on a grass strip runway, a deer ran across the runway. She "felt [the deer] was too close [to the airplane] to initiate a go-around "so she applied the brakes hard, and the airplane skidded right and ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N76LG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76LG), registered now, S/N 18052674, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 (J) - Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052674 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 4250 - Engines: Continental O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 2019 - Departed: SUW, Superior, WI - Destination: TWM, Two Harbors, MN - Airport: TWM, Richard B Helgeson, runway 33, 2,581 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 5, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,178 total, 855 in this make and model, 1,923 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KTWM ## 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 20190810016589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190810016589A), Aug 10, 2019: Cessna 180J, Two Harbors, MN, Substantial damage. Deer ran in front of aircraft right after touch down, pilot veered to the right avoiding a deer, aircraft slide sideways, the left gear to depart the aircraft.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 6, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100035. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477771&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 457 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477772&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.