# NTSB WPR09CA335: Cessna 180, N3198D, La Grande, OR, July 5, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 5, 2009, 09:24 local (16:24 UTC) - Place: La Grande, OR - Coordinates: 45.290279, -118.007225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2903&lon=-118.0072&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74233 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA335 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74233/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74233 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA335 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 64 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he observed an airplane approach and land on runway 30 at the uncontrolled airport. Thereafter, he proceeded to take off on the runway. He noted that the wind was nearly dead calm, according to the windsock. The pilot further stated that upon accelerating to about 35 miles per hour, he encountered a "severe wind shear" that lifted the left wing and wheel off the ground. Despite his efforts to counteract the wind effect, he lost control of his airplane. The pilot then aborted the takeoff, and the wind continued pushing the airplane sideways. The airplane swerved off the runway, encountered soft dirt, and nosed over onto its back. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he observed an airplane approach and land on runway 30 at the uncontrolled airport. Thereafter, he proceeded to take off on the runway. He noted that the wind was nearly dead calm, according to the windsock. The pilot further stated that upon accelerating to about 35 miles per hour, he encountered a "severe wind shear" that lifted the left wing and wheel off the ground. Despite his efforts to counteract the wind effect, he lost control of his airplane. The pilot then aborted the takeoff, and the wind continued pushing the airplane sideways. The airplane swerved off the runway, encountered soft dirt, and nosed over onto its back. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3198D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3198D-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N 31996, built 1955 (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: 31996 - Airframe hours: 4646 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 2008 - Departed: LGD, La Grande, OR - Destination: 72S, Rosella, WA - Airport: LGD, La Grande, runway 30, 5,600 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 2,348 total, 802 in this make and model, 2,348 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °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 20090705011779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090705011779A), Jul 5, 2009: Cessna 180, La Grande, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot encountered sudden wind shear during takeoff roll, causing loss of control while aborting takeoff, with aircraft veering off the runway and coming… ## Other investigations on N3198D (1) 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 FTW72FRA50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72FRA50), May 2, 1972: Cessna 180 (N3198D), Friendswood, TX, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 18, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74233. 533 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 533 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317019&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.