# NTSB WPR15LA234: Cessna 180J, N52095, Dixie, ID, July 26, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 2015, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Dixie, ID - Coordinates: 45.396667, -115.483329 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3967&lon=-115.4833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-into takeoff position: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 16, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91724 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15LA234 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91724/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91724 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA234 ## Probable cause The failure of the right brake hydraulic line during taxi due to fatigue, which caused a loss of hydraulic fluid and rendered the brake inoperative. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Hydraulic power system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022900): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022900/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022900/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was conducting a nonscheduled passenger flight. The pilot reported that, while he was turning the airplane to align it with the runway for takeoff, the right brake failed. The pilot subsequently intentionally ground looped the airplane to avoid elevated terrain near the runway, during which the right wing struck terrain. Postaccident examination of the right brake hydraulic line revealed that it was cracked where the line bends between the fuselage and main landing gear leg. It is likely that the crack caused a hydraulic fluid leak, which rendered the brake inoperative. Metallurgical examination of the fracture surface revealed fatigue striations and ratchet mark formations, consistent with a fatigue fracture. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 2015, about 0830 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180J, N52095, sustained substantial damage while taxiing for takeoff following a reported loss of the right brake control at the Wilson Bar USFS Airport (C48) Dixie, Idaho. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by SP Aircraft under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. The commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the non-scheduled passenger flight. The flight was originating at the time with a planned destination of Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. The pilot reported that the right brake failed while performing a 180 degree turn to align the airplane with the runway. As a result, the pilot stated that he intentionally ground looped the airplane, in order to avoid elevated terrain near the runway. Subsequently, the right wing struck terrain. Postaccident examination of the damaged airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that substantial damage was sustained to the right wing and aileron. The right brake hydraulic line was observed to be cracked at a bend between the fuselage and the main landing gear leg. The airplane is equipped with a hydraulically actuated disc brake on each wheel. Each brake is connected by a hydraulic line to a master cylinder attached to each side of the pilot's rudder pedals. The appropriate section of the brake hydraulic line was removed and sent to the National Transportation Safety Board, Materials Laboratory Division, for a detailed examination. Electron microscope images revealed that the brake line fracture surface was consistent with a fatigue fracture. Fatigue striations and ratchet mark formations were observed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52095](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52095), registered now, S/N 18052496, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J (J) - Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052496 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 6547.6 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Patrick, Scott, doing business as SP Aircraft - Registered owner: Patrick Bonnie - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 29, 2015 - Departed: C48, Dixie, ID - Destination: BOI, BOISE, ID - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: C48, Wilson Bar Usfs, runway 06, 1,500 × 50 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 28, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,900 total, 2,800 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KP69, 53 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 20150726011279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150726011279A), Jul 26, 2015: Cessna 180J, Dixie, ID, Minor damage. The pilot made an uneventful landing at Wilson Bar. He loaded his passengers and taxied to the west end of the runway. While turning around on the narrow… ## Other investigations on N52095 (2) 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 SEA96LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA014), Nov 6, 1995: Cessna 180J (N52095), Stanley, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with obstacles at the end of the takeoff area. His failure to attain sufficient altitude to clear the obstacles was a factor. - [NTSB SEA89LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA046), Jan 30, 1989: Cessna 180J (N52095), Elk City, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT ON TOUCHDOWN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE SOFT SNOW CONDITIONS ON THE RANCH AIRSTRIP. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 4, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91724. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438442&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - NTSB Materials Lab Factual Report (item 2, .PDF, 9 photos, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438443&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Materials%20Lab%20Factual%20Report-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.