# NTSB SEA98LA123: Cessna 180H, N91380, Arlington, WA, July 6, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 6, 1998, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Arlington, WA - Coordinates: 48.180812, -121.670051 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1808&lon=-121.6701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 12, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42820 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42820/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA123 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Gusting winds were a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## 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 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180H - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052050 - Engines: 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. - Pilot; age 66; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19980706037119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980706037119A), Jul 6, 1998: Cessna 180H, Arlington, WA, Substantial damage. (-23)Pilot of N91380 stated he was on takeoff from runway 34 at Arlington Municipal Airport, when the aircraft weathercocked sharply to the right. He corrected… 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.