# NTSB SEA02LA148: Cessna 180, N2486C, Cascade, ID, August 2, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 2002, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Cascade, ID - Coordinates: 44.536388, -115.35083 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5364&lon=-115.3508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 16, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55420 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55420/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55420 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA148 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff ground run. Wind gusts and a tree were a factor. ## Analysis During the takeoff ground run, the aircraft encountered a strong gust of wind from the right side. To keep the aircraft straight, the pilot maintained full power. The aircraft then collided with a small sapling on the left side of the runway substantially damaging the aircraft. The aircraft's takeoff roll was ended in a clearing off the left side of the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 2002, approximately 1330 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180, N2486C, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a tree during its takeoff roll at Sulphur Creek Ranch Airport, Cascade, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that the takeoff began with a light tailwind on runway 28. During the takeoff roll the aircraft encountered a strong gust of wind from the right side. The pilot reported that with full power, the rudder was not effective. To keep the aircraft straight, the pilot maintained full power. The aircraft's left lift strut then collided with a small sapling growing near the edge of the runway. The wind gust subsided and the takeoff roll was ended in a clearing off the left side of the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident. The Sulphur Creek Ranch airstrip is 3,300 feet in length and 40 feet wide, with a gravel/turf surface. The airport elevation is 5,835 feet. Operational restrictions indicate that aircraft are to land to the west and takeoff to the east. Trees are listed as obstructions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2486C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2486C), registered now, S/N 30786, built 1954 (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: 30786 - Airframe hours: 2761 - Engines: Continental O-470-K1 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Patrick Armstrong - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 27, 2001, 5 hours before - Departed: ID74, Cascade, ID - Destination: MYL, McCall Airport, ID - Airport: ID74, Sulphur Creek Ranch Airport, runway 28, 3,300 × 40 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 15, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 2,134 total, 1,454 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 20020802018479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020802018479A), Aug 2, 2002: Cessna 180, Cascade, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot lost control on takeoff. He stated that a strong wind gust hit suddenly and with no warning. This caused the aircraft to swerve off the runway and… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 13, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55420. 304 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 304 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465779&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.