# NTSB SEA00LA171: Cessna 180H, N91464, Roche Harbor, WA, August 25, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 2000, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Roche Harbor, WA - Coordinates: 48.529552, -123.060119 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5296&lon=-123.0601&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 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50118 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50118/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA171 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - weather condition - tailwind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis During a telephone conversation, the pilot stated that shortly after touchdown (wheel landing), the aircraft drifted to the right (south) of runway centerline. The pilot applied brakes and corrective actions, however, the aircraft continued off the runway and down an embankment that parallels the runway. During the accident sequence, the aircraft's main gear separated from the airframe resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. A FAA inspector from the Seattle, Washington, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), visually inspected the aircraft after the accident and reported that there was no evidence found to indicate a brake failure or malfunction. Shortly after the accident, a Sheriff's Deputy from the San Juan County Sheriff's Office reported that the winds at Roche Harbor were blowing across the runway at a 30-40 degree angle and estimated that the wind speed was 10-15 knots. He also stated that the winds favored runway 24 (report attached). The 1553 METAR observation taken at Friday Harbor, Washington (6 miles southeast of the accident site), reported winds from 230 degrees true at 7 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 2000, about 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180H, N91464, sustained substantial damage while landing on runway 07 at Roche Harbor Airport, Roche Harbor, Washington. The commercial pilot, and the one passenger aboard the aircraft were not injured. The pilot was operating the aircraft as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under Title 14 CFR 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Portland, Oregon, (PDX) approximately two hours prior to the accident. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB, the pilot stated that shortly after touchdown (wheel landing), the aircraft drifted to the right (south) of runway centerline. The pilot applied brakes and corrective actions, however, the aircraft continued off the runway and down an embankment that parallels the runway. During the accident sequence, the aircraft's main gear separated from the airframe resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. Shortly after the accident, a Sheriff's Deputy from the San Juan County Sheriff's Office reported that the winds at Roche Harbor were blowing across the runway at a 30-40 degree angle and estimated that the wind speed was 10-15 knots. He also stated that the winds favored runway 24 (report attached). The 1553 METAR observation taken at Friday Harbor, Washington (6 miles southeast of the accident site), reported winds from 230 degrees true at 7 knots. A FAA inspector from the Seattle, Washington, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), visually inspected the aircraft after the accident and reported that there was no evidence found to indicate a brake failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91464](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91464), registered now, S/N 18052091, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180H - Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052091 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stephen J. Barinka - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 2000 - Departed: PDX, PORTLAND, OR - Destination: 9S1 - Airport: 9S1, Roche Harbor, runway 7, 4,180 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; flight instructor, commercial, flight engineer, airline transport; 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: 25,000 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Observed at: FHR, 6 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 20000825006679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000825006679A), Aug 25, 2000: Cessna 180H, Roach Habor, WA, No damage. (-23) During landing, a/c exposed to crosswinds, which caused the a/c to veer to the right. Pilot tries to correct with brakes and rudder, and right wheel dug… 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.