# NTSB SEA06LA076: Cessna 180, N40LT, Klamath Falls, OR, April 14, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 2006, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Klamath Falls, OR - Coordinates: 42.156112, -121.721389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1561&lon=-121.7214&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Portland FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63516 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63516/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06LA076 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel-equipped aircraft during the landing roll. Factors include gusty crosswinds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) ## Analysis After her initial departure, the pilot flew about 10 minutes south to another airport, where she executed about 10 touch-and-go landings. When the winds started to become variable and gusty at this location, the pilot returned to her initial departure point where she was cleared for a full-stop landing on runway 32. Although the touchdown was uneventful, according to the pilot, during the landing roll a crosswind gust lifted the left wing, and the aircraft began to veer from the runway heading. During her attempt to realign the aircraft with the runway, it turned sharply to the left, and the right wing and right elevator came in contact with the runway surface. The pilot said there did not appear to be any problems with the aircraft's flight controls or tailwheel steering system. After she taxied to parking, the pilot talked to an individual who had landed just before her, and that individual stated that he had also encountered gusty crosswinds. The two pilots estimated the gusts were as high as 15 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 14, 2006, approximately 1200 Pacific daylight time, the wing of a Cessna 180, N40LT, contacted the runway surface during the landing roll at Klamath Falls International Airport, Klamath Falls, Oregon. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft's wing structure sustained substantial damage. The pilot, who is the owner/operator of the aircraft, initiated the 14 CFR Part 91 personal proficiency flight at the same airport approximately 90 minutes prior to the accident. There was no report of an ELT activation, and no flight plan had been filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, after her initial departure, she flew about 10 minutes south to Butte Valley Airport, where she executed about 10 touch-and-go landings. When the winds started to become variable and gusty at Butte Valley, the pilot returned to Klamath Falls, where she was cleared for a full-stop landing on runway 32. Although the touchdown was uneventful, according to the pilot, during the landing roll a crosswind gust lifted the left wing, and the aircraft began to veer from the runway heading. During her attempt to realign the aircraft with the runway, the aircraft turned sharply to the left, and the right wing and right elevator came in contact with the runway surface. The pilot said there did not appear to be any problems with the aircraft's flight controls or tailwheel steering system. After she taxied to parking, the pilot talked to an individual who had landed just before her, and that individual stated that he had also encountered gusty crosswinds. The two pilots estimated the gusts were as high as 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40LT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40LT), registered now, S/N 30527, built 1953 (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: 30527 - Airframe hours: 5141 - Engines: Continental O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Claren Nilsson - Registered owner: Winston & Claren Nilsson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2005 - Departed: KLMT, Klamath Falls, OR - Destination: KLMT, Klamath Falls, OR - Airport: KLMT, Klamath Falls International, runway 32, 10,301 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 208 total, 13 in this make and model, 156 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 6 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.69 inHg ## 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 20060414004179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060414004179A), Apr 14, 2006: Cessna 180, Klamath Falls, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing the pilot failed to maintain directional control and apply proper crosswind correction. The right wing and right elevator were damaged. ## Other investigations on N40LT (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA91LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA094), Apr 26, 1991: Cessna 180 (N40LT), Vernal, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND HIS FAILUE TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING. 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.