# NTSB NYC08CA203: Cessna 180, N511MH, Kutztown, PA, May 29, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 29, 2008, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Kutztown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.503334, -75.786941
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5033&lon=-75.7869&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 July 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68160/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA203

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.

## 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 180, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/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 180, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the Cessna 180 was of a small stature and required the aid of additional seat cushions in order to operate the airplane. After completing an uneventful flight and landing on a turf runway, the pilot taxied the airplane clear of the area. While turning off the runway area, the nose of the airplane started to "drop." The pilot attempted to arrest the "drop" by pulling aft on the control yoke, but had to brace herself to do so. She then inadvertently stepped on the brakes, and the airplane "nosed over," resulting in substantial damage to the wing spar. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot of the Cessna 180, she was of a small stature and required the aid of additional seat cushions in order to operate the airplane. After completing an uneventful flight and landing on a turf runway, the pilot taxied the airplane clear of the area. While turning off the runway area, the nose of the airplane started to "drop." The pilot attempted to arrest the "drop" by pulling aft on the control yoke, but had to brace herself to do so. She then inadvertently stepped on the brakes, and the airplane "nosed over," resulting in substantial damage to the wing spar. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N511MH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N511MH), registered now, S/N 30510 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30570
- Airframe hours: 11612
- Engines: Continental O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2007
- Departed: 1N9, Allentown, PA
- Destination: N31, Kutztown, PA
- Airport: N31, Kutztown Airport, runway 28, 2,221 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 239 total, 31 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 9 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observed at: RDG, 12 nm away

## 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 20080529837039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080529837039A), May 29, 2008: Cessna 180, Kutztown, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departe queen city municipal airport (1N9) enroute to Kutztown Airport (N31). On landing at Kutztown Airport (N31) runway 28 a grass runway. Pilot…

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.

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