# NTSB WPR21LA327: Cessna 180J, N7770K, Buffalo, WY, May 6, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 6, 2021, 14:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Buffalo, WY - Coordinates: 44.381083, -106.7218 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3811&lon=-106.7218&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 103754 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA327 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103754/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103754 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA327 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground loop and collision with terrain. ## 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [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) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, about 300 ft into the takeoff roll, the tail wheel came off the ground and the airplane immediately veer left towards a deep ravine. The pilot reduced power to idle and applied full right rudder and right aileron control, which returned the airplane to a runway heading, but the airplane was now on the left side of the runway. About 900 ft into the takeoff roll the airplane then rapidly turned right and crossed the runway at a 30° angle. The pilot applied full left rudder and left aileron control to counteract the turn, but the airplane departed the runway edge and ground looped to the right substantially damaging the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7770K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7770K), registered now, S/N 18052726, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J - 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: 18052726 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 2048 - Engines: Continental Motors O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Air Craft LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 13, 2020, 65 hours before - Departed: SHR, Sheridan, WY - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: BYG, Johnson County, runway 13/31, 6,143 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,482 total, 45 in this make and model, 1,482 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KBYG - METAR: METAR KBYG 061953Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM CLR 18/02 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP209 T01780022= ## 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 20210506011149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210506011149A), May 6, 2021: Cessna 180J, Buffalo, WY, Substantial damage. Pilot started take-off roll on rwy 13, lifted the tail after approx. 5 to 6 seconds. As soon as pilot lifted the tail, the aircraft veered left. Aircraft… ## Other investigations on N7770K (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 CEN24LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA126), Feb 28, 2024: Cessna 180 (N7770K), Alexandria, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a gusting crosswind. - [NTSB FTW93LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA099), Mar 8, 1993: Cessna 180J (N7770K), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: AIRCRAFT CONTROL NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR WAS VIBRATION IN THE TAILWHEEL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 5, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103754. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12633258&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photograph (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 508 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12632111&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.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.