# NTSB SEA98LA167: Cessna 180, N9115C, Anaconda, MT, August 15, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 15, 1998, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Anaconda, MT - Coordinates: 46.120922, -112.969825 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1209&lon=-112.9698&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43740 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43740/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA167 ## Probable cause A ground-loop resulting from the pilot's inadequate remedial action while attempting to correct for an inadvertent loss of directional control during the landing roll. Factors include the loss of directional control and attempting to land with a tailwind. ## 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 - tailwind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis While attempting to land with a tailwind, the pilot experienced an inadvertent loss of directional control. Due to the pilot's inadequate remedial action, the aircraft departed the right side of the runway and subsequently ground-looped. ## Factual narrative On August 15, 1998, approximately 1100 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180, N9115C, ground-looped during the landing roll at Bowman Field, Anaconda, Montana. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which was owned by the pilot's son, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR personal proficiency flight, which was being conducted in the traffic pattern at Bowman Field, had been operating in visual meteorological conditions for about 30 minutes prior to the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, he had completed a number of successful stop-and-go landings prior to the landing during which the accident occurred. While attempting the last landing, during which there was a 6 to 10 knot tailwind, the aircraft started drifting toward the right edge of the runway. The pilot was unable to correct the ground track before the aircraft departed the runway, ground-looped and impacted the terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9115C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9115C-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 31214, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31214 - Airframe hours: 2786 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dean Neitz - Registered owner: Frank A. Neitz - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1998, 30 hours before - Departed: 3U3 - Airport: 3U3, Bowman Field, runway 16, 6,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 262 total, 103 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 8 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 19980815021029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980815021029A), Aug 15, 1998: Cessna 180, Anaconda, MT, Substantial damage. Cft was practicing touch and go landings when it landed, bounced, ground l ooped to the right, ran off the rwy. (-23) pilot stated that he lost control on the… ## Other investigations on N9115C (3) 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 SEA07LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA063), Feb 24, 2007: Cessna 180 (N9115C), Bellingham, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing factors were the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing, and the trees. - [NTSB SEA95LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA113), May 28, 1995: Cessna 180 (N9115C), Phillipsburg, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE DUAL STUDENT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE BOUNCED LANDING, AND THE FAILURE OF THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TO TAKE ADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION AND RECOVER FROM THE… - [NTSB CHI67F0263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67F0263), Oct 8, 1966: Cessna 180 (N9115C), La Salle, MI, 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.