# NTSB WPR12CA037: Cessna 180H, N180LV, Snohomish, WA, November 11, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 11, 2011, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Snohomish, WA - Coordinates: 46.904724, -122.1025 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9047&lon=-122.1025&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 6, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 82308 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82308/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82308 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA037 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land in a high, gusting, variable wind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); 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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while landing on a grass portion of the runway, the wind shifted from a 90-degree right crosswind to a tailwind. During the landing roll, he was unable to stop before the end of the 2,430-foot-long runway. The airplane continued beyond the end of the runway and impacted a fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer, left elevator, and left wing. The pilot stated that, at the time of the accident, the wind was variable, gusting to 38 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while landing on a grass portion of runway 15, the wind shifted from a crosswind to a tailwind. During the landing roll, he was unable to stop before the end of the 2,430-foot-long runway. The airplane continued beyond the end of the runway and impacted a fence, which resulted in structure damage to the left horizontal stabilizer, left elevator, and left wing. The pilot stated that at the time of the accident, the wind was variable from 240 degrees at 25 knots gusting to 38 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N180LV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N180LV-2023-09-16), registration cancelled 2023-09-16, S/N 18051993, built 1968 (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: 18051993 - Airframe hours: 3795 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James Unger - Registered owner: Copper Mountain Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 2011, 11 hours before - Departed: S43, Snohomish, WA - Destination: S43, Snohomish, WA - Airport: S43, Harvey Field, runway 15R, 2,430 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 3,302 total, 250 in this make and model, 76 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 25 knots, gusting 38 - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 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 20111111025579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111111025579A), Nov 11, 2011: Cessna 180H, Snohomish, WA, Substantial damage. N180LV departed Harvey Field (S43) at 1430 PST on 11-11-11. Returned to land on runway 15R at 1505 PST. Made a tailwind approach and landing. Landed long on… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 16, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82308. 755 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 755 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358826&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.