# NTSB SEA94LA240: Cessna 180G, N4734U, Cut Bank, MT, September 15, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 15, 1994, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Cut Bank, MT - Coordinates: 48.649913, -112.839233 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6499&lon=-112.8392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42024 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42024/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA240 ## Probable cause INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS WIND GUSTS. ## 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 - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THERE WAS A GUST OF WIND FROM THE RIGHT SIDE. THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND THE PILOT TRIED TO CORRECT WITH RUDDER AND BRAKING CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED OFF THE RUNWAY AND GROUND LOOPED IN THE SOFT SOIL. ## Factual narrative On September 15, 1994, at 0845 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180G, N4734U, ground looped during the landing roll at the Cut Bank Airport, Cut Bank, Montana, during a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight had departed from Lethbridge, Canada, on September 15, 1994, at 0805. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he made a three point landing on runway 22. During the landing roll, the pilot stated that there was a gust of wind from the right side and the airplane began to veer to the right. The pilot applied left brake and rudder control, however, the airplane continued off the runway and ground looped in the soft soil. The wind after the accident was reported from 260 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 16 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4734U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4734U-2020-02-10), registration cancelled 2020-02-10, S/N 18051434, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180G - Registry model: [Cessna 180G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180g) (registry code 2072616) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18051434 - Airframe hours: 8269 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Walter, Francis D. - Registered owner: Walter, Francis D. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 1993, 163 hours before - Departed: CYQL, LETHBRIDGE, OF - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: CTB, Cut Bank Municipal, runway 22, 5,307 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 580 total, 113 in this make and model, 580 as pilot in command, 104 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 13 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CTB ## 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 19940915027959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940915027959A), Sep 15, 1994: Cessna 180G, Cut Bank, MT, Substantial damage. Veered off runway and ground looped during landing. Blamed a wind gust. ## Other investigations on N4734U (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 MKC85LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA161), Jul 18, 1985: Cessna 180G (N4734U), Harrison, AR, 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. --- 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.