# NTSB WPR23LA319: Cessna 180J, N9977N, Moab, UT, August 15, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 15, 2023, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Moab, UT - Coordinates: 38.757631, -109.75346 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7576&lon=-109.7535&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: 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: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 192919 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA319 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192919/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192919 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA319 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop. ## 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 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) - [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) ## 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 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) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: 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) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the airplane veered right, exited the runway, and ground looped. Subsequently, the left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies or failures that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9977N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9977N-2024-09-07), registration cancelled 2024-09-07, S/N 18052632, 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: 18052632 - Year built: 1976 - Engines: P-Ponk O-470-50 265 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mesha Holding LLC - Registered owner: Mesha Holding LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 27, 2023, 18.5 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: CNY, Canyonlands Regional Airport, runway 21, 7,360 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 2, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,436 total, 93 in this make and model, 1,341 as pilot in command, 119 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: KCNY, 1 nm away - METAR: KCNY 151653Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM CLR 30/12 A3030 RMK AO2 SLP192 T03000122 ## 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 20230815015029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230815015029A), Aug 15, 2023: Cessna 180J, Moab, UT, Substantial damage. The pilot of a Cessna 180J sky wagon was flying the plane on a part 91 personal flight when he crashed while making an approach to a rollout to the Canyonlands… ## Other investigations on N9977N (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 ANC93LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA042), Mar 9, 1993: Cessna 180J (N9977N), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PRIVATE CERTIFICATED/DUAL STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR/PILOT IN COMMAND TO TAKE TIMELY REMEDIAL… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192919. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16041974&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20319_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 741 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16041946&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA319%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16364001&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA319%20MOR%20-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.