# NTSB LAX99LA244: Cessna 180, N180HW, North Las Vegas, NV, July 3, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 1999, 17:04 local (Jul 3, 1999, 00:04 UTC) - Place: North Las Vegas, NV - Coordinates: 36.210205, -115.119026 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2102&lon=-115.1190&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46763 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46763/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA244 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the existing crosswind condition and maintain directional control of the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis According to the aviation surface weather observations, the reported winds at the time of the accident were from 180 degrees at 15 knots. The METAR at 1556, about 1 hour prior to the accident, reported winds from 180 degrees at 18 knots. No variability in the wind direction was recorded in the variability column of the Department of Commerce Form MF1M-10C. The local controller noted that at the time he cleared the airplane for takeoff he provided the updated wind information of from 180 degrees at 12 knots. The pilot stated that he was directed by tower to use runway 25. He noted that the wind was variable between 120 degrees and 150 degrees. He was cleared for takeoff and noted the windsock was 90 degrees to the runway. He stated that he waited until the wind shifted around favoring runway 25 and as soon as it did, he initiated the takeoff roll. As the tail started to lift off the runway, the airplane was hit with a 'very violent' gust of wind, which lifted the wing and nosed the airplane over. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 1999, at 1704 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180, N180HW, veered off runway 25 during the takeoff roll at the North Las Vegas, Nevada, airport. The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal cross-country flight that was scheduled to terminate at the San Luis Obispo, California, airport. No flight plan was filed. According to the official aviation surface weather observations, the reported winds at the time of the accident were from 180 degrees at 15 knots. The METAR at 1556, about 1 hour prior to the accident, reported winds from 180 degrees at 18 knots. No variability in the wind direction was recorded in the variability column of the Department of Commerce Form MF1M-10C. In his written statement, the local controller noted that at the time he cleared the airplane for takeoff he provided the updated wind information of from 180 degrees at 12 knots. In the pilot's written statement to the Safety Board, he reported that he was directed by tower to use runway 25. He noted that the wind was variable between 120 degrees and 150 degrees. He was cleared for takeoff and noted the windsock was 90 degrees to the runway. He stated that he waited until the wind shifted around favoring runway 25. As soon as it did he initiated the takeoff roll. As the tail started to lift off the runway, the airplane was hit with a "very violent" gust of wind, which lifted the wing and flipped the airplane over. The pilot said there were no discrepancies noted with the airplane systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N180HW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N180HW-2002-04-26), registration cancelled 2002-04-26, S/N 31545, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31545 - Airframe hours: 3134 - Engines: Continental O-470 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ron Bush - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1999, 21 hours before - Departed: VGT - Destination: SBP, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - Airport: VGT, North Las Vegas, runway 25, 5,004 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,648 total, 90 in this make and model, 43 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 15 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: VGT ## 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 19990702044009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990702044009A), Jul 2, 1999: Cessna 180, Las Vegas, NV, No damage. (-23) During departure from north Las Vegas (vgt) on runway 25, the aircraft ground looped and veered off the left side of the runway and flipped over. A/c… 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.