# NTSB SEA96LA118: Cessna 180, N2411C, Kalispell, MT, June 9, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1996, 18:08 local (Jun 9, 1996, 00:08 UTC)
- Place: Kalispell, MT
- Coordinates: 48.190151, -114.380218 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1902&lon=-114.3802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 3, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42389
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42389/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA118

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control, due to inadequate compensation for wind conditions.  Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind and soft/wet terrain near the edge of the runway.

## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

While landing in constantly changing winds, the pilot was unable to maintain direction control of the tailwheel equipped aircraft. After the aircraft exited the right side of the runway, the left main gear collapsed after coming in contact with soft, wet terrain.

## Factual narrative

On June 8, 1996, at approximately 1808 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180, N2411C, sustained substantial damage in a gear collapse and subsequent nose-down after it departed the side of the runway while landing at Kalispell City Airport, Kalispell, Montana.  The private pilot and passenger were not injured.  The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR 91 on a local flight from Kalispell City Airport.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  There was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the pilot, he had just returned to the airport after a flight in the local area and was trying to land in winds that were constantly changing direction. After touching down, the pilot found that he had to make strong rudder corrections to compensate for the changing winds. He was ultimately unable to maintain direction control of the tailwheel equipped aircraft, and exited the right side of the runway onto soft, wet terrain. Upon contacting the soft terrain, the left main gear collapsed and the aircraft nosed down into the dirt.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2411C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2411C-1999-11-01), registration cancelled 1999-11-01, S/N 30711 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30711
- Airframe hours: 6707
- Engines: Continental TSIO-470-B 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kirk Van Ogrin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 1996, 40 hours before
- Departed: S27, MT
- Destination: S27
- Airport: S27, Kalispell City, runway 13, 3,600 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 485 total, 50 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19960608044199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960608044199A), Jun 8, 1996: Cessna 180, Kalispell, MT, Substantial damage. Landing in variable winds. Lost directional control. Exited runway in soft soil. Left main gear folded. Nosed down.

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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