# NTSB WPR24LA079: Cessna 180, N2975A, Featherville, ID, January 18, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 18, 2024, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Featherville, ID · On Airport - Coordinates: 43, -115 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0000&lon=-115.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: 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): 193698 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193698/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193698 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA079 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during taxi, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain. ## 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 180, 64 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072602), [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 180, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the ski equipped airplane reported that, when he applied power to takeoff in deep snow, the airplane turned to the left. While taxiing back to the runway centerline, the pilot made a wide turn and the airplane taxied off the left side of the runway into a snow-covered hole, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right 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: [N2975A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2975A), registered now, S/N 30175 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30175 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 4777.3 - Engines: Continental O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2023, 25 hours before - Departed: U76, Mountain Home, ID - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 0ID0, South Fork Ranch, runway 25, 3,000 × 80 ft, snow - Equipment: Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 4, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,098 total, 176 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KGNG, 11 nm away - METAR: KGNG 181635Z AUTO 23010KT 10SM CLR M00/M01 A3017 RMK AO2 ## 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 20240118000539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240118000539A), Jan 18, 2024: Cessna 180, Featherville, ID, Substantial damage. Lost controll on take off. Take off was aborted and aircraft was taxing back to runway. Aircraft right main landing gear sank into a snow-covered culvert hole… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 8, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193698. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16701665&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 228 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16701368&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array-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.