- Date
- July 6, 1998, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place
- Arlington, WA
- Injuries
- 1 serious
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N91380Cessna 180H
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report July 12, 2000
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19980706037119A
- Case key
- 42820
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Gusting winds were a factor.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported that after receiving the automated weather for the airport conditions, he taxied to the run-up area in preparation for departure. The pilot stated that he was aware of a crosswind from the left prior to departure. The pilot reported that during the takeoff he 'received a gust of wind.' The pilot had no memory of the sequence of events after this point. A witness reported that he observed the accident airplane on short final when the right wing suddenly went up in the air and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane pivoted around on the left wing and the airplane came to rest inverted. The witness estimated that the winds were gusting at about 10 to 15 knots from the pilot's left side, and the airport flag was straight out. The airport manager reported that the AWOS was out of service at the time of the accident, but estimated that the winds were from 290 degrees at seven to eight knots, and gusting.
Factual narrative
On July 6, 1998, at 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180H, N91380, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the ground just prior to touch down and nosed over at the Arlington Municipal Airport, Arlington, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured.
In a written statement that was recited by the pilot to a relative, the pilot reported that he received the automated weather report for the airport conditions, and then taxied to the run-up area to complete a run-up check in preparation for takeoff. The pilot indicated that he was aware of a crosswind from the left prior to departure. During the departure, the pilot reported "received a gust of wind." The pilot has no memory of the sequence of events after this point.
A witness who was seated near the airport office and watching aircraft takeoff and land observed the accident aircraft on short final to runway 34. The airplane was about 10 to 15 feet above ground level when the right wing suddenly went up in the air and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane pivoted around on the left wing and the airplane came to rest inverted. The witness stated that it sounded like the engine revved as the event started. The witness estimated the winds were gusting at about 10 to 15 knots from the pilots left side, and the airport flag was straight out.
The airport manager reported that at the time of the accident the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) was out of service. The manager estimated that the winds were from 290 degrees at seven to eight knots, and gusting.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N91380
- Reported as
- Cessna 180H
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18052050
- Engine
- Continental O-470, 230 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Ted A. Schmelzer
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · July 1, 1998
- Airport
- AWO · Arlington Muni, runway 34, 5,333 × 100 ft, asphalt
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 66
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Single-engine sea
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 1,872 total · 1,049 as pilot in command · 9 in the last 90 days · 1 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- AWO
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.