# NTSB SEA91LA185: Cessna 180, N3343D, Cody, WY, July 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1991, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Cody, WY
- Coordinates: 44.509044, -109.050476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5090&lon=-109.0505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41492
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41492/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA185

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT.  FACTORS WERE DIVERTED ATTENTION, AND GUSTY CROSSWINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA 180, WHO HAD LANDED WITH A 20 KNOT CROSSWIND, LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHEN HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED FROM THE RUNWAY, AS HE ATEMPTED TO TAKE HOLD OF THE FLAP ACTUATION HANDLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3343D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3343D-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N 32141, built 1956 (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: 32141
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jerald L. Baxter
- Registered owner: Jerald L. Baxter
- Departed: 0U6, JACKPOT, NV
- Airport: COD, Yellowstone Regional, runway 4, 8,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,892 total, 790 in this make and model, 2,750 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910720034279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910720034279A), Jul 20, 1991: Cessna 180, Cody, WY, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in excessive gusty crosswind and ground looped. Stated attention diverted to find flap handle

## Other investigations on N3343D (2)

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 LAX97LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA203), Jun 9, 1997: Cessna 180 (N3343D), Hollister, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's improper use of the elevator and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's application of full power…
- [NTSB LAX82DA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA065), Feb 6, 1982: Cessna 180 (N3343D), San Jose, CA, substantial damage

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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