# NTSB SEA06CA120: Cessna 180, N2251C, Great Falls, MT, June 18, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 18, 2006, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Great Falls, MT
- Coordinates: 47.481945, -111.370552
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4819&lon=-111.3706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63941
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63941/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA120

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions.  A crosswind was a factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

In a written statement the pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, near rotation speed, the tail-wheel equipped Cessna was "hit" by a gust of wind.  He stated the right wing "went up" and the airplane veered to the left.  The pilot was unable to correct the situation and the airplane subsequently exited runway 34.  The pilot reported that at some point during this sequence of events, the right main landing gear collapsed.  The accident report submitted by the pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft at the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative

In a written statement the pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, near rotation speed, the tail-wheel equipped Cessna was "hit" by a gust of wind.  He stated the right wing "went up" and the airplane veered to the left.  The pilot was unable to correct the situation and the airplane subsequently exited runway 34.  The pilot reported that at some point during sequence, the right main landing gear collapsed.  The accident report submitted by the pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2251C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2251C-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N 30551 (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: 30551
- Engines: Continental O-470-U reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Dennis A. Wyatt
- Registered owner: Wyatt Crane and Rigging Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GTF, Great Falls, MT
- Destination: FNL, FORT COLLINS/LO, CO
- Airport: GTF, Great Falls Intl, runway 34

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 555 total, 337 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20060618013379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060618013379A), Jun 18, 2006: Cessna 180, Great Falls, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot tried to take off with a quartering tailwind. The aircraft wheels lifted off, then the aircraft veered to the left, and the left wing hit the…

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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