# NTSB SEA94LA214: Cessna 180K, N2732K, Hite, UT, August 18, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 17, 1994, 18:40 local (Aug 18, 1994, 00:40 UTC) - Place: Hite, UT - Coordinates: 37.570957, -110.320724 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5710&lon=-110.3207&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42001 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA214 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42001/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA214 ## Probable cause COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND WEATHER EVALUATION WERE INADEQUATE. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CROSSWIND AND GUSTS. ## 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 - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE TAKE OFF GROUND ROLL IN A CROSSWIND AND HIGH GUSTING WINDS, JUST AS THE TAIL WHEEL LIFTED OFF, A GUST OF WIND RAISED THE AIRPLANE WHICH DRIFTED OFF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN AND BEGAN TO BOUNCE THROUGH THE BRUSH. THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKE OFF AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH AN EMBANKMENT BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. ## Factual narrative On August 17, 1994, at 1840 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180K, N2732K, collided with an embankment during the take off at Hite, Utah. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that was conducted under 14 CFR 135. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot and his four passengers were not injured. The flight was departing from Hite and was en route to Moab, Utah. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he was taking off to the east with a cross wind from the south that was gusting to 40 knots. Just after the tail wheel lifted off the runway, the pilot stated that "...we were hit with a gust that could have been beyond the crosswind component of the airplane..." The airplane lifted off and drifted to the left and off the runway. The airplane touched down again and began to bounce through the brush. The pilot opted to abort the take off and the airplane collided with an embankment before coming to a stop. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2732K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2732K), registered now, S/N 18053046, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180K - Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18053046 - Airframe hours: 9700 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Mountain Flying Service - Registered owner: Wischmeyer, James - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1994, 70 hours before - Destination: CNY, MOAB, UT - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: Hite, runway 9, 2,200 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,862 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 175 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 15 knots, gusting 40 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - 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 19940817021629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940817021629A), Aug 17, 1994: Cessna 180K, Hanksville, UT, Substantial damage. Lost control departing in severe gusty crosswind. Drifted left of runway on liftoff. Settled into embankment. ## Other investigations on N2732K (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 CHI03LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA081), Mar 8, 2003: Cessna 180K (N2732K), St Charles, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind and his failure to maintain directional control resulting in a ground loop. A factor was the crosswind. 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.