# NTSB SEA07CA121: Cessna 180G, N609PF, Lopez Island, WA, May 5, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 4, 2007, 18:00 local (May 5, 2007, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Lopez Island, WA
- Coordinates: 48.483333, -122.933334
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4833&lon=-122.9333&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Seattle FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65712
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65712/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA121

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.  Geese were 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - animal(s) (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

The pilot was conducting a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight in a Cessna 180G airplane that nosed-over during takeoff.  During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) shortly after the accident, the pilot stated that he was attempting to avoid geese on the private airstrip when the accident occurred.  In a written report, dated May 26, 2007, the pilot stated "taxi down the runway - goose ran out in front - jammed on brakes and tailwind gust - flipped me over."  The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage.  The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical anomalies.  The pilot reported that his last medical, third class, was issued on October 21, 2003.  The medical carried a limitation that stated "not valid for any class after October 31, 2005."

## Factual narrative

The pilot was conducting a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight in a Cessna 180G airplane that nosed-over during takeoff.  During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) shortly after the accident, the pilot stated that he was attempting to avoid geese on the private airstrip when the accident occurred.  In a written report, dated May 26, 2007, the pilot stated "taxi down the runway - goose ran out in front - jammed on brakes and tailwind gust - flipped me over."  The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage.  The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical anomalies.  The pilot reported that his last medical, third class, was issued on October 21, 2003.  The medical carried a limitation that stated "not valid for any class after October 31, 2005."

## Aircraft

- Registration: N609PF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 180G
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051328
- Engines: Continental O-470 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dwight L. Lewis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Lopez Island, WA
- Destination: Lopez Island, WA
- Airport: NONE, Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review October 1, 2005; flight hours: 2,000 total, 500 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 20070505007819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070505007819A), May 5, 2007: Cessna 180G, Lopez Island, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was taxiing (other than for takeoff) on a sod surface, when a flock of geese flew in front of the airplane causing the pilot to brake hard which…

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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