# NTSB WPR12CA245: Cessna 180, N3184D, Wenatchee, WA, June 2, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 2, 2012, 13:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Wenatchee, WA - Coordinates: 47.416667, -120.21083 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4167&lon=-120.2108&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 October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 83849 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83849/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83849 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA245 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in a crosswind condition. ## 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 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) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff ground roll with a left crosswind condition, the airplane began to swerve immediately after the tail came off the ground and the left wing rose. The pilot attempted to correct with aileron, rudder, and control stick inputs, but the airplane turned into the wind and the right wing and propeller contacted the ground. The airplane subsequently came to rest balanced on its right main landing gear, the propeller, and the right wing tip. The airplane's right wing and right aileron were substantially damaged as a result of impact damage with the runway surface. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the takeoff ground roll with a left crosswind condition, the airplane began to swerve immediately after the tail came off the ground and the left wing rose. The pilot attempted to correct with aileron, rudder and control stick inputs, however the airplane turned into the wind and the right wing and propeller contacted the surface. The airplane subsequently came to rest balanced on its right main landing gear, the propeller and the right wing tip. The airplane's right wing and right aileron were substantially damaged as a result of impact damage with the runway surface. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3184D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3184D), registered now, S/N 31982, 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: 31982 - Airframe hours: 5684 - Engines: Continental Motors O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Janet L Liberty - Registered owner: Janet L Liberty - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 2012, 6 hours before - Departed: EAT, Wenatchee, WA - Destination: S10, Chelan, WA - Airport: EAT, Pangborn Memorial Airport, runway 30, 5,700 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 18, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 2,896 total, 1,959 in this make and model, 2,896 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 10 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: EAT ## 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 20120602009549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120602009549A), Jun 2, 2012: Cessna 180, Wenatchee, WA, Substantial damage. Airman lost control of conventional landing geared aircraft during crosswind takeoff roll. Loss of control resulted in partial groundloop of the aircraft, with… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83849. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371648&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Data (item 2, .PDF, 274 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371647&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-Master.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.