# NTSB SEA08CA166: Cessna 180, N1710C, Lewistown, MT, July 20, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 20, 2008, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Lewistown, MT - Coordinates: 47.042221, -109.466667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0422&lon=-109.4667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68515 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA166 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68515/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA166 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the variable and gusting winds, and his failure to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident were variable winds that were gusting to 25 knots. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 64 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the initial part of his takeoff roll in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the pilot lost directional control in variable and gusting winds. During his attempt to regain control, the airplane's wing impacted the runway, resulting in bending damage to the main spar of the wing. At the time of the attempted takeoff, the winds were variable at 15 to 25 knots. ## Factual narrative During the initial part of his takeoff roll in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the pilot lost directional control in variable and gusting winds. During his attempt to regain control, the airplane's wing impacted the runway, resulting in bending damage to the main spar of the wing. At the time of the attempted takeoff, the winds were variable at 15 to 25 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1710C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1710C), registered now, S/N 30410, 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: 30410 - Engines: Continental O-470-A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Peter R. Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Lewistown, MT - Destination: Lewistown - Airport: KLWT, Lewistown Airport, runway 25, 6,100 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,521 total, 174 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 15 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 20080720840419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080720840419A), Jul 20, 2008: Cessna 180A, Lewistown, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 20, 2008 at 14:24 MDT a Cessna 180A, N1710C, registered to [privacy data omitted] ground looped on takeoff at Lewistown airport, Lewistown,… 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.