# NTSB WPR25LA285: Cessna 180, N4603B, Reno, NV, September 3, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 3, 2025, 10:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.668177, -119.87644 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6682&lon=-119.8764&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2025 - 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): 201038 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA285 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201038/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201038 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA285 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while transitioning from the landing roll to taxi, 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 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: 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 tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after performing a normal three-point landing, he attempted to exit the runway onto a taxiway. The airplane was still travelling at high speed, and during the turn toward the taxiway, the airplane ground looped to the right. As a result, the left wing and horizontal stabilizer impacted the runway surface, resulting in substantial damage to both. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4603B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4603B), registered now, S/N 31501, built 1955 (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: 31501 - Year built: 1955 - Airframe hours: 2769.9 - Engines: Contenental O-470J 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 2025, 5.6 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: RTS, Reno/Stead Airport, runway 8, 7,608 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 10, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 847.4 total, 6.4 in this make and model, 847.4 as pilot in command, 15.8 in the last 90 days, 9.3 in the last 30 days, 0.8 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KRTS - METAR: METAR KRTS 031715Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM SCT095 BKN120 20/10 A3031 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 20250903013539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250903013539A), Sep 3, 2025: Cessna 180, Reno, NV, Minor damage. A tailwheel aircraft was practicing touch-and-goes at the Reno-Stead airport when the aircraft he was operating suffered a ground loop. After inspection of the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201038. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19405723&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1.%206120%20Flattened_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19405459&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1.%20Record%20of%20Conversation,%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19405090&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6.%20Investigation%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.