# NTSB SEA02LA104: Cessna 180K, N66471, Helena, MT, June 17, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 17, 2002, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Helena, MT - Coordinates: 46.606945, -111.98278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6069&lon=-111.9828&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Helena FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54951 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54951/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54951 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA104 ## Probable cause Binding brakes for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,normal brake system - binding(mechanical) (cause) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll on the 2,980-foot long, asphalt runway, during calm wind conditions, the pilot of the Cessna 180K elected to abort due to a perceived inadequate power situation. During the aborted takeoff he applied brakes with no initial response and then more firmly at which time the left brake grabbed and the aircraft veered to the left. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control and the aircraft’s right main gear collapsed. Post-crash examination of the aircraft's wheels and brakes revealed that both brake discs appeared to be overheated. The left wheel still rotated and stopped with the application of left brake. The right brake could not be tested in this fashion as it had separated from the airframe. The parking brake was found disengaged and functioned satisfactorily following the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 2002, approximately 0900 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180K, N66471, registered to and being operated/flown by a private pilot sustained substantial damage during a loss of control/ground loop while executing an aborted takeoff at the Helena Regional airport, Helena, Montana. The pilot and pilot rated passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14CFR91 and was planned as a local flight. The pilot reported to an FAA inspector from the Helena Flight Standards District Office that during the takeoff on runway 16, which is 2,980-foot long, the aircraft accelerated normally until reaching approximately 40 knots. He then felt that the aircraft did not have sufficient airspeed and he initiated an aborted takeoff. As he applied brakes after touching down on the remaining runway the aircraft swerved left and ground looped and the right wing outboard of the flap/aileron seam impacted terrain. The pilot later reported that he decided to abort the takeoff about one-third of the way down the runway. He retarded the throttle to idle and then "...brakes [were] gently applied, [with] no obvious response. More firmly applied. [The] left brake grabbed, [the] plane began to turn to left. Right [brake] applied more firmly [with] no response. Right brake repeatedly firmly applied but [the] plane continued to turn left; no apparent response to right brake attempts..." (refer to NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The winds were calm at Helena Regional airport at the time of the accident and the pilot rated passenger reported that the runway was "damp." A mechanic examined the aircraft subsequent to the accident and reported that both brake discs appeared to be "overheated." The left wheel still rotated and stopped with the application of left brake. The right brake could not be tested in this fashion as it had separated from the airframe. The parking brake was found disengaged and functioned satisfactorily following the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N66471](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N66471), registered now, S/N 18052945, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180K - Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052945 - Airframe hours: 2104 - Engines: Continental O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hunter, Mason B. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2002, 16 hours before - Departed: HLN, Helena, MT - Destination: FCA, Kalispell, MT - Airport: HLN, Helena Regional, runway 34, 2,980 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 6, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 1,108 total, 553 in this make and model, 1,052 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: HLN ## 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 20020617015359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020617015359A), Jun 17, 2002: Cessna 180K, Helena, MT, No damage. (-23) The pilot stated that on takeoff the aircraft would not accelerate to takeoff speed, so he elected to abort the takeoff. When he applied brakes, the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 9, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54951. 521 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 366 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446111&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Telephone Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446112&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Telephone%20Conversation-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. A view of N66471 where it came to rest on runway 16. Note the collapsed right main laning gear. (item 3, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40178004&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20A%20view%20of%20N66471%20where%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20on%20runway%2016.%20%20Note%20the%20collapsed%20right%20main%20laning%20gear.-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.