# NTSB NYC92LA080: Cessna 180, N9207C, Winfield, WV, April 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1992, 17:23 local (21:23 UTC)
- Place: Winfield, WV
- Coordinates: 38.519325, -81.880027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5193&lon=-81.8800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37142
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37142/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA080

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION OF THE PILOT TO LAND ON THE STRIP AND THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ATTEMPTING THE GO-AROUND.  FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DUE TO THE WET GRASS AND THE TAIL WIND.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON A 900 FOOT LONG, NEWLY CUT, WET GRASS STRIP, OVER A TREE LINE, WITH A TAIL WIND. ONCE ON THE GROUND, HE COULD NOT STOP.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND AND BROUGHT THE FLAPS UP TO ONE NOTCH.  THE AIRPLANE BECOME AIRBORNE JUST PRIOR TO THE END OF THE STRIP, FLEW INTO A THICKET OF BRIAR AND COLLIDED WITH AN OLD BUILDING FOUNDATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9207C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9207C), registered now, S/N 31306 (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: 31306
- Airframe hours: 3462
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kathleen Radford
- Registered owner: Kathleen Radford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 1991, 30 hours before
- Departed: I57, WAVERLY, OH
- Airport: NONE, None, runway 12, 900 × 20 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 76 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRW, 18 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 19920428011959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920428011959A), Apr 28, 1992: Cessna 180, Winfield, WV, Substantial damage. Tried to land downwind on 900 foot strip. Unable. Began late go around. Struck high bushes and cement foundation.

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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