# NTSB SEA97LA179: Cessna 180B, N929AE, Spanish Fork, UT, July 30, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1997, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Spanish Fork, UT
- Coordinates: 40.019451, -111.549476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0195&lon=-111.5495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42667
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42667/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA179

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind.  A factor was the crosswind.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

During takeoff with a 17 knot crosswind, the aircraft became airborne too early and then drifted to the right of the runway.  During the attempted recovery, the right wing hit the ground and the aircraft ground looped.

## Factual narrative

On July 30, 1997, at 1500 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180B, N929AE, crashed during takeoff from Spanish Fork, Utah.  The airplane was being operated under visual flight rules as a personal flight.  The airplane was substantially damaged but the pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.  The airplane had departed Corona, California earlier that day and had stopped at Spanish Fork for refueling.  The intended destination for the accident flight was Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

The pilot stated that he had a 17 knot crosswind from the left during the takeoff.  The aircraft became airborne too early and then drifted to the right of the runway.  The airplane then struck the ground and ground looped.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N929AE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N929AE), registered now, S/N 50457, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 180B
- Registry model: [Cessna 180B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180b) (registry code 2072606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50457
- Airframe hours: 4785
- Engines: Continental O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Strother, William J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1997, 46 hours before
- Departed: U77
- Destination: BFF, SCOTTSBLUFF, NE
- Airport: U77, Spanish Fork-Springville, runway 30, 5,700 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 577 total, 110 in this make and model, 460 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 17 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °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 19970730020189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970730020189A), Jul 30, 1997: Cessna 180B, Spanish Fork, UT, Substantial damage. On July 30, 1997, at 1500 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180B, N929AE, crashed during takeoff from Spanish Fork, Utah. The airplane was being operataed under…

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.