# NTSB WPR15CA012: Cessna 180, N156JM, Marion, MT, October 2, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 2, 2014, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Marion, MT
- Coordinates: 48.074165, -114.678054
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0742&lon=-114.6781&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 December 5, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90247
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15CA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90247/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90247
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA012

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.

## 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)
- [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: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/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 landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane, he inadvertently applied left brake and the airplane veered abruptly to the left. Subsequently, the right wing and horizontal stabilizer struck the ground and the airplane came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the right wing, right horizontal, and right elevator. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane, he inadvertently applied left brake and the airplane veered abruptly to the left. Subsequently, the right wing and horizontal stabilizer struck the ground and the airplane came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the right wing, right horizontal, and right elevator. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N156JM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N156JM), registered now, S/N 32360, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (UNDESIGNAT)
- 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: 32360
- Year built: 1956
- Airframe hours: 2600
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rossi Michael J
- Registered owner: Rossi Michael J
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 97MT, Marion, MT
- Destination: Missoula, MT
- Airport: 97MT, Cabin Creek Landing, runway 02, 3,400 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 13, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 116 total, 56 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observed at: KGPI, 22 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 20141002017489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141002017489A), Oct 2, 2014: Cessna 180, Marion, MT, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he bounced on landing and believes he pushed on the left rudder pedal actuating the brake and deflecting the rudder.

## Other investigations on N156JM (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 WPR14CA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA028), Oct 21, 2013: Cessna 180 (N156JM), Butte, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing with a crosswind.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90247. 2.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419323&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.

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