# NTSB WPR11CA109: Cessna 180H, N9067M, Helena, MT, January 26, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 26, 2011, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Helena, MT - Coordinates: 46.606945, -111.98278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6069&lon=-111.9828&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Helena FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78224 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78224/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78224 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA109 ## Probable cause The certified flight instructor's loss of airplane control during the landing roll in a gusting crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 180H, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the first part of the training flight in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, the pilot receiving instruction made four takeoffs and landings on a runway that was almost directly aligned with the oncoming wind. At that point the certified flight instructor (CFI) took over in order to demonstrate a landing on a different runway where there was a crosswind of about 10 to 12 knots at 90 degrees to the runway. The CFI made a successful touchdown on the main landing gear wheels, but as the airplane slowed and he began to lower the tail to the runway surface, the upwind wing was lifted by a gust of wind. When the CFI made control inputs to counter the lifting of the wing the opposite wing impacted the surface of the runway and the airplane veered toward the upwind runway edge. Before he could regain directional control, the airplane departed the right side of the runway, entered an area of soft terrain, and nosed over onto its back. According to the CFI, there was no evidence of a flight control malfunction prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative During the first part of the training flight in the conventional wheel (tail wheel-equipped) airplane, the pilot receiving instruction made four stop-and-go landings on a runway that was almost directly aligned with the oncoming wind. At that point the instructor pilot took over in order to demonstrate a landing on a different runway where there was a crosswind of about 10 to 12 knots at 90 degrees to the runway. The instructor pilot made a successful touchdown on the main landing gear wheels, but as the airplane slowed and he began to lower the tail to the runway surface, the upwind wing was lifted by a gust of wind. Although the instructor pilot made control inputs to counter the lifting of the wing, the opposite wing impacted the surface of the runway, and the airplane veered toward the upwind runway edge. Before the instructor pilot could regain directional control, the airplane departed the right side of the runway, entered an area of soft terrain, and nosed over onto its back. According to the instructor pilot, there was no evidence of a flight control or rudder control malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9067M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9067M-2014-11-25), registration cancelled 2014-11-25, S/N 18052167, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H - Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052167 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: State Of Montana - Registered owner: State Of Montana - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KHLN, Helena, MT - Destination: KHLN, Helena, MT - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KHLN, Helena Regional Airport, runway 16, 2,989 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 54; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2010; flight hours: 9,650 total, 115 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 12 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 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 20110126000419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110126000419A), Jan 26, 2011: Cessna 180H, Helena, MT, Substantial damage. On January 26, 2011 at approximately 1207 MST 1907 zulu, certificated flight instructor was providing tail wheel transition instruction in a Cessna aircraft… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 11, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78224. 855 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 855 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40343400&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.