# NTSB WPR20CA085: Cessna 180, N9729B, Eloy, AZ, January 27, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 27, 2020, 16:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: Eloy, AZ - Coordinates: 32.80389, -111.58889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8039&lon=-111.5889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 27, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 100874 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100874/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100874 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA085 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in crosswind conditions, 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 180A, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072604), [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 180A, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072604), [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 (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while practicing landings, he completed one go-around and two landings without incident. On his next landing attempt, the airplane encountered a left crosswind during the landing flare. Despite his attempts to maintain directional control, the airplane ground looped and veered off the left side of the runway. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while practicing landings in the tail-wheel equipped airplane, he completed one go-around and two landings without incident. On his next landing attempt, the airplane encountered a left crosswind during the landing flare. Despite his attempts to maintain directional control, the airplane ground looped and veered off the left side of the runway. The right wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9729B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9729B), registered now, S/N 50027, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 (A) - Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 50027 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 2367 - Engines: Continental O-470-7-K 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 2019, 51 hours before - Departed: P08, Coolidge, AZ - Destination: E60, Eloy, AZ - Airport: E60, Eloy Muni, runway 02, 3,901 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 315 total, 127 in this make and model, 183 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KP08, 11 nm away ## Other investigations on N9729B (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 MIA71DLD21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71DLD21), Sep 28, 1970: Cessna 180 (N9729B), Williston, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 31, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100874. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481800&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photograph (item 2, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481801&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph-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.