# NTSB GAA19CA548: Cessna 180, N9250T, Lancaster, TX, September 4, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 4, 2019, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, TX - Coordinates: 32.577499, -96.717498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5775&lon=-96.7175&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 March 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100273 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA548 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100273/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100273 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA548 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop. ## 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 180C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072608), [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 180C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 180C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 180C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a three-point landing, the airplane veered left, ground looped, exited the runway, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to right wing lift strut and empennage. 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 of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during a three-point landing, the airplane veered left, ground looped left, exited the runway, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to right-wing lift strut and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9250T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9250T-2019-10-22), registration cancelled 2019-10-22, S/N 50750 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 (C) - Registry model: [Cessna 180C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180c) (registry code 2072608) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 50750 - Airframe hours: 5849 - Engines: Continental O-470-L reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 2018 - Departed: RBD, Dallas, TX - Destination: RBD, Dallas, TX - Airport: LNC, Lancaster Rgnl, runway 13, 6,500 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 3, 2019; seat: right; flight hours: 83 total, 33 in this make and model, 83 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KLNC ## 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 20190904012559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190904012559A), Sep 4, 2019: Cessna 180C, Lancaster, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed runway 13 at lnc aircraft went off runway and flipped over ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 22, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100273. 892 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 404 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480145&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 488 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480146&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.