# NTSB WPR13CA352: Cessna 180J, N9286C, Hungry Horse, MT, July 26, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 26, 2013, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Hungry Horse, MT - Coordinates: 48.087501, -113.250831 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0875&lon=-113.2508&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 September 12, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87651 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA352 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87651/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87651 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA352 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop. ## 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) - [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) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/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 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) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll the airplane swerved to the right and thought that she had it under control, when suddenly the airplane hit an uneven area. The airplane started a slow right turn that resulted in the left wing tip impacting the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. 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 landing roll the airplane swerved to the right and thought that she had it under control, when suddenly the airplane hit an uneven area. The airplane started a slow right turn that resulted in the left wing tip impacting the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9286C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9286C), registered now, S/N 31385, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J - 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: 31385 - Airframe hours: 3167 - Engines: Continental Motors Inc. O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jeanne McPherson - Registered owner: Queen City Flying LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 2013, 47 hours before - Departed: 0S1, Meadow Creek, MT - Destination: 8U2, Hungry Horse, MT - Airport: 8U2, Schafer (USFS), runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 22, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 5,525 total, 200 in this make and model, 5,400 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 149 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: GPI, 43 nm away ## 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 20130726014499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130726014499A), Jul 26, 2013: Cessna 180, Helena, MT, Substantial damage. On July 26, 2013, at 10:45 MDT a Cessna 180, N9286C, registered to queen city flying LLC, piloted by a commercial pilot, made contact with the left wing tip to… ## Other investigations on N9286C (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 DEN65D0042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN65D0042), Feb 28, 1965: Cessna 180 (N9286C), Roswell, NM, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87651. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398914&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.