# NTSB WPR25LA132: Cessna 180J, N7779K, Oakland, CA, April 10, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 10, 2025, 14:43 local (21:43 UTC) - Place: Oakland, CA - Coordinates: 37.7213, -122.2207 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7213&lon=-122.2207&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: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 200017 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200017/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200017 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA132 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff roll with a left crosswind. ## 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) - [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) - [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. - [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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a takeoff roll in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he observed a left crosswind. As the tail lifted off the runway, the airplane veered left, and he subsequently applied full right rudder pedal. As the airplane approached the left edge of the runway, he applied pressure to the right brake, and the airplane ground looped to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was departing runway 33 with wind from 260° at 13 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7779K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7779K), registered now, S/N 18052728, 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: 18052728 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 3191.7 - Engines: Continental O-470-50 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 28, 2025, 16.2 hours before - Destination: O27, Oakdale, CA - Airport: OAK, San Francisco Bay Oakland Intl, runway 15/33, 3,376 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 19, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 536 total, 21 in this make and model, 484 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: KOAK - METAR: KOAK 102153Z 28012KT 10SM FEW180 BKN250 18/11 A3023 RMK AO2 SLP238 T01830111 ## 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 20250410017869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250410017869A), Apr 10, 2025: Cessna 180J, Oakland, CA, Substantial damage. Thursday 04/10/2025 at 1423 PST, aircraft [privacy data omitted] was leaving for departure on RY33 when ATC noticed the aircraft was facing the tower. Pilot… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 3, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200017. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18651542&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 560 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18835869&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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.