# NTSB WPR20CA265: Cessna 180, N9917N, Stanley, ID, August 11, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 10, 2020, 18:30 local (Aug 11, 2020, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Stanley, ID - Coordinates: 44.212776, -114.933334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2128&lon=-114.9333&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 101776 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA265 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101776/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101776 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA265 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff 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 180J, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072622), [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 180J, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072622), [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 180J, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072622), [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. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072622), [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 180J, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll in the tailwheel equipped airplane, with a 10 knot direct crosswind, after the tail lifted and the airplane was tracking on the runway centerline, he initiated a cross control to compensate for the crosswind. The control pressure was excessive and the airplane banked into the wind and started to deviate to the left. The pilot attempted corrective action however the airplane rotated around and ground looped. The right side main landing gear collapsed and the right wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll in the tailwheel equipped airplane, with a 10 knot direct crosswind, after the tail lifted and the airplane was tracking on the runway centerline, he initiated a cross control to compensate for the crosswind. The control pressure was excessive and the airplane banked into the wind and started to deviate to the left. The pilot attempted corrective action however the airplane rotated around and ground looped. The right side main landing gear collapsed and 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: [N9917N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9917N), registered now, S/N 18052572, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 (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: 18052572 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 3825 - Engines: Continental O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 2U7, Stanley, ID - Destination: SUN, Hailey, ID - Airport: 2U7, Stanley, runway 35, 4,300 × 150 ft, dirt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 31, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,300 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: 2U7 ## 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 20200810013559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200810013559A), Aug 10, 2020: Cessna 180J, Stanley, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot was at the Stanley Idaho airport for a day of fishing. He and his wife got back to the airport around 1600 to fly out, but there was a strong crosswind.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101776. 3.1 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=40486850&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 2, .PDF, 308 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486851&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.